The Norsemalt Monster

Norsemalt, a quaint little village, exactly 23 kilometers east of Wicklow and 7 kilometers north of nothing.  Known for its spectacular annual Christmas Eve Pageant! and scones, Norsemalt is adored by all of its citizens. It is commonly identified by the people as “the most remarkably normal and exceedingly average village at the top of a cliff you can imagine.” That was, until November 5^th, when that nickname changed to “the most remarkably normal and exceedingly average village at the top of a cliff you can imagine that also had a monster.”

It was almost a regular day.  The satisfying smell of fresh baked scones wafted through the grateful air as the organ in the little white chapel played one of the scene’s music from Christmas Eve Pageant! production.  All the people went about their day in the normal fashion, doing their jobs with either great vigor or melancholy dopiness.  The clouds had begun to gather in anticipation for an overcast downpour, begging the old folks to dawn their sheep’s wool sweaters and rubber boots.  Schoolchildren waited eagerly on the edge of their seat to be dismissed for the evening as they imagined the possibilities that the coming weekend and puddles held.  For two in particular, the thoughts of the weekend adventures were carried into the far reaches of the realms of possibilities, but they never came to the idea of a monster attack on their charming little home.

Charlie and Mary were walking to their homes from school when the rain hit. Instinctively, Charlie gave took off his jacket to cover both his best friend and his head as they began running to escape the building storm.  Before they entered their side by side terraced house, Mary leaned over the railing dividing their doors and invited Charlie to come over, after they had changed their wet clothes, for a board game and tea with leftover cake.  Charlie immediately obliged, anything to delay his impending homework.  They played for a few hours as the storm built into a raging monster. Charlie and Mary looked at each other, almost in anticipation as the largest strike of lightening hit, flicking off the lights of the town.  The two friends laughed a little as the both got up to find the candles and flashlight so they could continue their game.  Charlie strode to the cabinet by the window, opening the door just as a long spike crashed through the glass, piercing the cabinet door, inches from Charlie’s head. Mary let out a little scream while Charlie dropped to the floor in fear of another missile.  When their fear had ceased, Mary and Charlie examined the giant sharp spike and decided to go investigate its origins.  Stepping outside, they found that they were not the only ones who received the gift of needles.  They were everywhere, sticking up from the ground, strewn throughout the street, shish kebobing cars.  The villagers were terrified, coming out of their homes in a panicked fear, not knowing where was safe. Charlie took Mary’s hand and pulled her towards the town square, desperate to find out what was happening.  As they ran, Mary looked around, the feeling that someone, or something, was watching them settling over her.  She asked Charlie about it, just as they heard a scampering behind one of the nearby buildings.  Pushing away their fear, they turned to follow the noise. They ran through the town in the back alleyways and through open streets, until they came to the edge of the cliff.  There, the rain had built up a great fog that was rolling over the cliff’s edge, lighting up with every strike of lightening. That’s when they saw it, crawling out of the fog. It was taller than any building in their town with spike sticking out in every direction and a long snout protruding from its face. Mary turned to look at Charlie in horror. The monster was here.  

     

This is Halloween

The best costume I ever wore… would, hands down, have to be the time I was Carl from up.  My sisters and I decided to dress up with some dear family friends of ours who had two daughters, who at the time were the same age as my sisters at about 12 and 9 years old.  It was a beautiful night, the air was crisp, the breeze rustled the withering red, yellow, and brown trees, and we were rocking the trick or treating scene.  We were all characters from UP. I was Carl, one of the girls was Ellie, my sister was Russell, the youngest (and smallest girl) was Kevin the bird, and my youngest sister was the house we dragged around (with Dug the dog painted on the side).

                

     My favorite Halloween… was of course the one mentioned above, when I had the little group of UP characters.  It was a beautiful night and seeing all of the little kids in their adorable costumes was wonderful, but the best part of that night was the people I was spending it with.  I had a blast with all of those girls, who were all my little sister, whether or not by blood.  We spent the entire night giggling, completely slap-happy on sugar, as we wandered from house to house impressing all of the owners with our creativeness.

The night lit up black

Spooky orange pumpkins whisper

Sweet words to the wind

The little witch and

The miniature bat-man take

Candy from strangers

I was putting my Halloween costume when I heard something moving around in my closet… there had been some rustles before, but I had figured they were just a breeze knocking some clothes around or something like that.  The noise was getting louder, I couldn't ignore it now.  It was freaking me out.  If it had been any other day other than Halloween, I would still be completely creped out, there was something in my closet, possibly watching me as I changed into my costume. Really, really weird. I grabbed a pillow and three-hole punch ruler that had been sitting on my desk, and slowly walked toward the closet door. As the door slowly opened, I was attacked with claws and screeching.  My brother had thrown my cat at me.

My favorite Halloween treat would really have to be anything with good chocolate (really any chocolate but Milk Duds).  This year, I’m getting some Lindor Truffles to enjoy while I hand out candy.   

Lyrics Poem

This is a composite of a few lyrics from poplar songs brought together in a poem.

And I'm do dizzy, don't know what hit me,
What's going on                                                               In my mind,
                                      I need to know
make it stop
                                                                   you know I won't
that boom boom
     Come on now,
                                                     It's gonna be alright
I'll be alright

You Can Tell Everybody This is Your Song, Mrs. Hopke

An interview with Mrs. Hopke of the A+ Department.

What music or songs remind you of your childhood?
Mrs. Hopke's Answer: Journey and the song "Killing Me Softly" because her sister would sing it a lot, which annoyed her.
My Answer: U2 and Veggie Tales were always a go-to for my family.
     These two compare because Journey and U2 were both extremely popular bands in the 80's.

Who is your favorite singer or group or song and why?
Mrs. Hopke's Answer: Journey and Steve Perry and "Don't Stop Believing," just because.
My Answer:  I have so many different favorites I can't put it in one sentence.
     I find it fantastic how much Mrs. Hopke likes Journey. She REALLY likes them.


What music reminds you of someone you love?
Mrs. Hopke's Answer: Queen: "You Are My Best Friend." She dedicates this song to her husband on the radio on their anniversary each year.
Me: "Beautiful Day" by U2 because it's one of my dad's favorite songs.
     I thought that Mrs. Hopke dedicating that song to her husband was absolutely adorable. 

 Which Music or artist was "controversial" or "offensive" to some when you were growing up?
Mrs. Hopke's Answer: Disco music was offensive to her mother because it had a 4 beat rhythm.
Me: I don't actually remember anything being offensive when I was younger, my parents were very broad in their music selections.

The Sound of Music (Pun Intended)

                “When you listen to music, what feelings/emotions does it evoke?”

Music is a relief, an emotions evoker, a distressing tool.  When I listen to music and get into it, sparks of emotions trickle, all giving something different.  The strings of a classical symphony can strike hope or wonder about the inevitable.  The twanging banjo triggers homeliness and a longing to be with family. And Taylor Swift, well, she brings Taylor Swift feelings.

                 

     “What is your favorite song? Why? Is it connected to a certain time, event, or place?”

I have a lot of favorite songs for a variety of different circumstances, but my favorite by far will always be “The Call” by Regina Spektor.  In a poetry unit during 8^th grade, I had to do a report about my favorite song, and like I said all those years ago, no matter what songs come through my life, this song will always hold a place in my heart. This is the one song I never skip when it comes on. The song itself was written by Spektor for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It plays in the final scene as the children are leaving Narnia, some of them for the last time. It is about never forget the place or the time that made you and remembering to return to that. For the Pevensies, it was Narnia, the place where they were kings and queens that shaped who they were, and where Aslan was. For me, it’s remembering that I do not belong on this earth, that it is just a temporary stopping point on my way to my home is heaven. C.S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” This song fills me with hope on the days when I feel like I don’t belong on this earth, that I will one day find my home.

              

      “Music has the ability to change the mood of movies, television shows, and other performances. How?”

Music can control emotions, especially when a person is completely engaged in what they are watching. Just the other day, while I was watching Once Upon a Time¸ I noticed that just as Emma was about to kiss Hook, the music got soft before going into a crescendo just as they kissed. As a viewer, basically made my heart do the little happy dance it does whenever is see happy love. The composer John Williams is fantastic at analyzing what is happening during a scene and judging how the audience should react to it, then using his music to make that happen.

               

      “Is music poetry? What are some of the more “poetic” lyrics you can think of?”

Of course music is poetry. Even if it is a terrible song with only four different words, it is still poetry. Music is words and notes strung together to create something for the sake of putting words and note together to make something. There are artist who can be better than others at it, and words that can carry through the ages. Some lyrics have the impact to start a revolution, or control it. The poetry people put together are powerful and can have great effects on people. Some of the more poetic lyrics I can think of are from U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” saying, “And the battle's just begun. There's many lost, but tell me who has won. The trench is dug within our hearts. And mothers, children, brothers, sisters. Torn apart.” This whole song is extremely heart wrenching. The lyrics bring the bitter feelings that wars bring, reminding people that what they are fighting about doesn’t really matter compared to what they are causing.  

Kinzie in Real Life

1.       Dan writes a column on parenting advice but has a lot of trouble parenting. Do you think it’s important to write about what you know?

I think it is very important to write what you know so you can teach others to do it to the best of their abilities.  If your just making up things, and other people are taking your advice and trying to live your advice, what good will it do them if you first don’t know what you are talking about.

2.       What are 3 tips you would give parents of teenagers?

Listen and attempt to understand your children, do spontaneous things together, and love regardless and if you miscommunicate, take a breath, walk away, and try again without yelling. Sometimes you’re both saying the same thing.

3.       Where was your best hiding spot as a kid playing Hide and Seek?

I had a lot of different place for playing hide and seek as a kid, and I would spend hours devising the best spots when playing with friends.  My favorite spot was in the small crawl space under the stairs.  It was tiny and went deeper into the stairs, but my family painted it and made it homey.  I loved that little room and it was my favorite place to hide for hours, until my friends caught on. 

4.       What is your special talent?

I make pretty spectacular cookies. They are delicious.

5.       Are you a good bowler?

I tend to consider myself a pretty spectacular bowler. If spectacular means the occasional strike every few games and a perfect score on Wii bowling.  

through the window

Looking in, she is laughing and happy as
she spins around stiring and mixing

The lights of the oven glow
as the radio flickers

Today there is a row of cookie sheets
waiting to enter the inferno

It always smells good
but sometimes it is a sad place to be
the smells always make it better

The sun shines in of the yellow walls
as the brightness reflects off
the snow on the window seal

Through the dooon the opposite side
there is a tree
lighting up the house with it's joy

(pillow)talk

That moment of fear, that captivates your heart
That steals your soul, conquers your mind
It’s in that moment, when all seems lost
And you realize it’s just a dream, and you know it can be okay

She tosses and turns as she walks up a tree, into the abyss
Out of the everywhere, into the nowhere
Where sadness and sorrow drip from the ceilings
And tears run down the walls

It is here where it seizes it’s victims and pulls them under
Under the covers, the sheets, the sleep
It is here where he finds them
It is here where he takes them

She doesn’t shy away, doesn’t cower,
She stands high with the poise of dreams
Walks firm with the face of hero
Into the strange, into the hole

That moment of fear, that captivates your heart
That steals your soul, conquers your mind
It’s in that moment, when all seems lost
Then you wake up, and it’s real


Haiku:
Storming over the hills
Fields turn grey with every strike
folding the darkness

Art Walk: Peter and Annie Have a "Great" Day

     It wasn't everyday that Peter and Annie stumbled upon the entrance to the Underworld, and it certainly wasn't making their day any better.
     What they had planned to be a normal day, very quickly turn sour.  Peter and Annie had planned on hanging out at Peter's mom and stepdad's apartment to play video games and watch movies, but Peter's mom needed some flour and salt to make pizza.  She handed the two friends a twenty dollar bill and sent them on their merry way. They made it to the grocery store alright, they even managed to check out, but they barely got out the front door before trouble found them.  It wasn't like they went looking for it, but it always, without fail or a day off, found them.
     As soon as they walked through the sliding glass doors, the monster, or as Peter has so creatively named it, The Grocery Store Monster, picked them up and flew them over the city.  Peter and Annie were past screaming and struggling, but they did both pull out their respective sword (or pen, whatever you want to call it), and wickedly sharp dagger and start hacking at the talons and feet of the thing carrying them. Having no success with that, Peter looked at Annie for the plan.
     Annie shrugged saying, "I say we just hang on for this one.  If he drops us, then we're dead so we might as well wait till he puts us down."
     It took them all the way down to the coastline before setting them down, and as soon as it did, Peter and Annie were on guard, weapons at the ready.  But upon looking around, they realized that they had been set down surrounded by more of the hideous creatures.  They tried making a break for it, but as soon as they started running, they were being followed.  They each turned around and tried fighting off another before continuing their sprint from the scene.  Around the third turn and swipe, Peter actually caught one of the creatures off guard and managed to cut right through it's chest.  As soon as he did, the thing exploded, sending Peter and Annie soaring, again.  As they went, Peter recalled that he really did not like flying.
     They landed hard on some sand around quite a ways away from their original projection point, the fall knocking the breath out of the both of them.  It took a few minutes for them to sit up, and even longer for each of them to stand without falling back to the sand.  Not wanting to go back in the direction of the Grocery Store Monsters, Peter and Annie hobbled up the beach in hopes of finding people who could help them get back to the city, or at least a phone to call Peter's mom. They had been walking for about 20 minutes when Annie saw the glowing red strip and Peter insisted on investigating it.
     As they approached it, an eerie dread settled over both of them and Annie almost pulled Peter and turned around.  It was startlingly hot compared to the frigid air and they could hear moans coming up through the crack.  As soon as they were standing on the cracks edge they knew, they had found an entrance to the Underworld, and they had no plan of entering it, that was, until they were pushed.

The Kiss of a Tree of Life

On July 14, 1862, Gustav Klimt was born in Baumgarten in the Austrian Empire to Ernst and Anna Klimt.  Gustav Klimt was one of seven children born to the gold engraver and the musical performer.  The Klimt family was very poor through Gustav’s childhood, having to move several times to more affordable places, but that did not stop him and his brothers from expressing their incredible artistic talents.  Noticing their brilliant talents, Anna Klimt enrolled three of her sons, including Gustav, into the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts.  He had many different flings with women during his lifetime, including ones with Emilie Louise Flöge and Maria Učicky, and he fathered at least 14 children.  

  The Kiss           
    After his schooling, Klimt’s works began getting great recognition.  He had many different techniques from drawing to painting to murals, and he most famously utilized the use of gold leafs in his paintings. During the time of Impressionism, some of Klimt’s works were criticized greatly for being too erotic which drove him away from the government issued and endorsed works and to create and president the Vienna Secession.  Some of his most famous works include The Kiss, Tree of Life, and Mother and Child.  The Kiss depicts a man and a woman embracing as the man kisses the woman on the cheek.  The Tree of Life shows a tree growing with swirling branches and different forms and aspects of life.

     The Tree of Life        
   During the time of reconstruction in the US, WW2, the Mexican Revolution, prohibition in the US, and the Panic of 1893 (also US), Gustav Klimt lived and normally wore sandals and a long robe without undergarments on around his household.

Mother and Child