Hello, (mostly imagined) readers!
Sherrod here!
I know I've been gone for a while, but I'm back now, at least for the moment.

Now I'd like to talk about a problem at my local library, you know the one: the one with the books and computers, the one near the park.

Usually I love the library. Unlimited access to books during all working hours, wi-fi, mandatory silence: all of these are things that I appreciate and love, however, recently it has come to my attention that our library is lacking in a very real and glaring way.

Out of the huge and sprawling American history collection at this library, there are literally TWO, I repeat TWO books that have anything to do with women's suffrage: one of them is a biography of Susan B. Anthony, and another is a history of voting and democracy in the United States.

AND THAT IS RIDICULOUS.

Not to mention pathetic and upsetting for many reasons including
1. I have a paper to write and had hoped to do it on race relations within the suffrage movement, and that's gonna be hard to do with NO BOOKS ON SUFFRAGE.
2. DID I MENTION THERE ARE NO BOOKS ON SUFFRAGE? Just, what!? I don't even!?asdfghjkl!

So, dear readers, (yes, I'm talking to you, it's not like there's a bunch of others, is it?) if you have any books on race relations within the suffrage movement, or women's suffrage in general, you know where they are needed.
... My house
... Seriously, you guys, I have a paper to write
... Help me, please

I'll be waiting eagerly by the door for you to bring the books
Until then, dear readers

Live long and prosper.
~ Sherrod

It's That Time of Year...

Students all over the world are losing there minds this month. Why? It's time for finals. This is that one time of the year where you basically forget everything you've ever learned and are stressing over nearly everything because the entire term depends on this one little test. And, I really do applaud everyone who is staying sane during this month because heaven knows I'm not one of you. I've already decided that, if worse comes to worse, I could always move out west and become an assistant to some snobby actress with a little purse rat. But, seriously, that is my ultimate last resort, right after being homeless.
It's also the holiday season. I didn't do a Thanksgiving post and I should have. To bee honest, I was too busy eating to think of doing anything else. And, now, it's almost Christmas and it doesn't feel right. I don't know. Last year I counted down days, marked off calenders, baked cookies and cupcakes. Christmas is next week and I feel nothing. I think it's because I know Christmas will be ruined by the loss of Matt Smith as the Doctor. Although, I am pretty excited about Peter Capaldi...

And Now For The Weather...

Okay, let my first say that the title is supposed to be ironic and funny, but because not many people outside of tumblr would understand the reference, it's therefore pointless on this platform. There's this podcast called Welcome To Nightvale about this desert town that's got a lot of weird things going on and, at the strangest parts, the broadcaster always cuts out for the weather (which is usually some ridiculous song that has pretty much nothing to do with the weather). I'll probably be talking about that a lot more from now on 'cause I really like it.
Anyway, it's December. In most normal parts of the Northern Hemisphere, that means cold weather, snow, sleet, etc. etc. Not in Memphis. It's like 80 degrees outside (by the slight chance anyone doesn't understand, it's Fahrenheit, not Celsius. The world is not ending, I swear). It went from 30 degrees to 80 in one night and it's ridiculous that one city can shift that quickly. Plus, it's supposed to rain/sleet/freeze tonight/tomorrow. Now, I wouldn't mind very much because we'd get out of school, but this means the play might be cancelled and I did not stay after school until 6 every day this week to reschedule the thing. That's not okay.Anyway, I'm hoping that the weather isn't too bad because Memphis is dangerous enough when it rains. People here cannot drive whatsoever.

...B is for Bald...and other stuff

I need to go bald. Seriously, I am the worst person when it comes to taking care of my hair, therefore I do not need it. I'm telling you, those bald eagles have it made! I HONESTLY CANNOT STAND MY HAIR. I've expressed my disdain to my mother on numerous occasions, but she simply looks at me and asks if I have "lost my mind"--evidently she spends too much money on its upkeep for me to just shave it off, but in the long run, me being bald would end up saving money...

Also, I think I'm going to join Sherrod and become a Jewish nun, even though I am not Jewish, nor are there nuns in Judaism. But alas, we're so awesome, that we're gonna break tradition and become nuns...that are Jewish...

As you can tell by now, I'm rambling, like a good weird child, but it's not my fault--I've downed like three cups of black tea at this point all in the name of writing an adequate critical response to the 1961 film adaption of A Raisin in the Sun..as you can see I am having no luck in this endeavor. Well, wish me luck anyway, and hopefully I can make it through the rest of the night without shaving my head in frustration and throwing my laptop against the wall since I can't seem to concoct a proper intro to my essay...*le sigh*

Growing Pain

It's possible that I am one of the most unlucky people on Earth. And no, I'm not being over dramatic-- as my mother often likes to think--I have proof. You ready?

ALL FOUR OF MY WISDOM TEETH ARE GROWING IN AT ONCE, AND THEY'RE ALL IMPACTED WHICH HAS CAUSED MY GUMS TO SWELL AND MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT ANYTHING BUT APPLESAUCE AND SOUP.

So how was your weekend?

The 50th, Catching Fire, and Mix Tapes

Alright, so I am extremely excited this week! Yes, I'm not going on the Model UN trip to Arkansas and, yes, I still (might) have insomnia, but this week is going to be glorious! Before I explain why, I feel like I should mention a new development in my story.

Not only have I started to listen to classic rock (I blame Dean Winchester), but I've also become really interested in mix tapes. There's not even a real reason, I just really like them! And, the internet is only enabling my new love because there is a actual website (8tracks.com) that lets you make mixes and find ones based on music you like. In the past like four months, I've made four of the things and they make me really happy. I think the interest started during my Perks of Being a Wallflower period (which still isn't entirely over).

Now, moving on to this week! On Friday Catching Fire comes out and I am sooo ready. Finnick's gonna be there and then there's the character development in Effie and Haymitch and just wow. Plus, the graphics and cinematography (which, if you know me at all, are both very important) are going to be amazing. My body is ready.y

Also, this Saturda is the 50th anniversary of "Doctor Who", my all time favorite BBC program along with "Sherlock". To celebrate the 50th, BBC created an episode that not only brings back my favorite companions, but also has both Matt Smith and David Tennant, who are my Doctors. I've seen previews and I am dying to see it so, on Friday, I will be on tumblr with my cup of tea and big bowl of popcorn, crying over  watching Doctor Who. Then I'll have to wait another month before I can watch the Christmas special where they kill regenerate the Doctor. BBC has no holiday spirit, I mean honestly. In 2011, they killed Sherlock. In 2012, they killed King Arthur. Now, they're killing the Doctor! Christmas is supposed to be happy!

Needless to say, I will be spending my weekend in a big ball of tears on tumblr whining about both of those things and will probably end up putting my feelings into a cliche mix CD. Heaven help me.

Bat Mitzvah Woes

So, I know it's a little late, but my bat mitzvah is in two weeks.

AND I'M FREAKING OUT
...
....
.....
Really, though, it's getting down to the wire and I'm pretty stressed. Maybe this is why kids do it when they're twelve, how stressed can a twelve year old really be?... wait, no, I take it back.
I had my first existential crisis when I was twelve.
Anyway, I basically have to have, like, fifteen minutes worth of Hebrew chants memorized.
It's hard enough to memorize fifteen minutes of English anything, especially sans music and without a cue or any chance of improvisation. Forget another (non-romance, non-germanic) language!
In addition to all this, I have to give a speech about my life, bearing my soul to anyone who decides to show up that day.
Sounds fun, right?
well, there is going to be cake afterwards... so....
We'll see how it goes.

Live long and prosper,
Sherrod

vs. The Neverending Kudzo

Kudzu: an invasive plant that grows anywhere, any time, any which way it likes.

vs: meaning against.

translation: there was a battle between the IB Juniors [the girls mainly] and the evil Kudzu, which we awesomely won. Because we are just amazing like that.

But honestly, I'd never really known about or seen Kudzu before today, oddly enough, and was shocked to realize how stubborn an resistant the plant could be--it tried to swallow me whole, twice! In all sincerity, it wasn't all that bad, especially when Maggie fell twice, but I could've done with the nippy whether and the fact that I kept getting stuck in the Kudzu...and that time when I practically fell into some thorns....ouch...

Moral of the story: Kudzu's not half bad, but it's not to great either; stay away

Update!

I'm not entirely sure if this can qualify as being stressed or being lazy, but I've been feeling extremely drained at even the mere mention of attending school. I don't ever feel like getting up in the mornings and maybe it's because I'm developing insomnia. (Can one develop insomnia? Is that a thing?) Anyway, I'm not entirely sure what the point of this post was. I just felt extremely guilty for not having posted in a while. So, I guess, the logical thing to do would be fill you in on things.
All of my shows have recently either gone on or come off of hiatus and it is an extremely emotional time for me, especially season 9 of Supernatural. Just no. Also, I'm waiting very patiently for the beginning of Series 3 of Sherlock (I mean Harry Potter even came back before Sherlock did and that was supposed to be over!) and the 50th anniversary episode/winter premiere of Doctor Who. I'm also trying to finish multiple book series', which is a challenge with the amount of homework I have to do. I have, however, checked out a bunch of classics from the library, which I haven't even started on yet...Whoops.
I'm entering a poetry contest for one of the colleges I want to apply to, so that should be fun. Except for the fact that I have immense writer's block and haven't been able to write anything for over a month. It's a troubling life. Anywho. I've checked with Sherrod and apparently it is possible to develop insomnia, so that's interesting. Not entirely healthy or pleasant, but interesting...Also, small note, cutting vines is a terrible past time. 0/10 would recommend. I'm convinced the Japanese transferred vines to the states as a way of destroying us during the war. I don't care what anyone else says, that's why those things are here.
I suppose that's really it, aside from the fact that it's almost that time of year, my favorite time! I love Halloween with a passion! So, Happy All Hallows Eve and don't forget to watch a few Tim Burton movies! Or Hocus Pocus. Or...Ya know what? Just make sure to watch a lot of Halloween movies and enjoy an extra candy bar for me.

See Mariatu Stress

If the title can't clue you in on my predicament, maybe this can: I'M SOOO STRESSED OUT!!!!! Better?

When my debate coaches suggested IPPF debate to me (that is Internation Public Policy Forum debate, its really cool and what not, you should totally google), I was all in, since for the past year and a half all I've been doing is public policy debate. The problem, however, is the work load I'm already receiving from IB alone in addition to Model UN, Student Government, and pretty soon, swim team. Can you say, spread too thin? Just adding on IPPF is darn nearly about to kill me, and it probably doesn't help that we can't seem to meet the quota for the minimum number of members on our team. *le sigh*, tis life I guess.... And now I'm hungry. 

Girl Probs....

Dear God, it's happened again. Yes, it's true...I've joined three more fandoms over the weekend! They are below.

• Honor Society
• Push Play
• Before You Exit

I really did try to not join another one considering that I'm already apart of like 50000000, but I just couldn't resist. Up-and-coming boybands are my weakness...aside from Honor Society, because they've been around for a while... How do you think I jumped on that whole One Direction wagon?
Anywho..... if anyone's bored and looking for some ah-may-zing music to listen, I suggest the aforementioned boybands.
Tata for now. 
Mariatu

RE: The Great Gatsby

So, like I said in the prequel to this post, I have been reading The Great Gatsby. I've recently finished and, well, I still think Gatsby is pretty crazy, but now that I've finished I can understand him slightly better. Jay Gatsby, or James Gatz as he was born, came from a somewhat poor family and ended up running away from home and enlisting in the army for World War I. He met Daisy and almost immediately fell in love with her because of how extraordinary she was. He left for New York and they never spoke again, but he still loved her and she loved him.

Now, here's my thing with Gatsby. He can't deal with not having Daisy. He'd do pretty much anything for her (including taking the blame for a hit and run/manslaughter) and while people may find this romantic, it's extremely unhealthy. I already talked about how he dedicated a greater part of his life to finding her, but that's not all. Honestly, I don't think Gatsby ever really loved Daisy. It's possible that he liked her or was infatuated with her, but he didn't love her. When he moved the New York, he was pretty much alone, his only company the people who came to his parties (majority of whom didn't even know Gatsby). It's possible that he missed having her around because she was his company, because she 'understood" him. But Gatsby is irrational. He's so hung up on getting back to this old life and better version of himself that just so happened to include Daisy, that he nearly tears her family apart. And, while it's partially Daisy's fault too, he should have known that his reappearing wasn't going to make Daisy leave her husband, even if she "never really loved him." And Gatsby's forceful. He refused to leave the hotel room everyone was in until Daisy said she didn't love her husband and, even after she said it, he wouldn't leave without her. His obsession with Daisy may actually be part of the reason he was alone and no one attended his funeral. He almost never left home and was never very social. All he cared about was Daisy.

I feel like Daisy knew that Gatsby was a little off because, even though she says she loved him, she still stays with her husband. I assume it's because she knows Gatsby is unstable. And I don't like that people call Daisy stupid because she's not. She understands the world in many ways and that's why she's always so sad or anxious or whatever you want to call it. When she said she wanted her daughter to be a "beautiful little fool", it was because she didn't want her daughter to know how ugly the world really is, she doesn't want her daughter to hurt the way she did. And, I feel bad for Daisy. She was making a life for herself, she was somewhat happy with friends and a family, a child, but Gatsby comes back into town and that entire life is shifted in a matter of days.

This is the last thing I'm going to say about this book. I did not like the narrator. Nick Carraway was extremely indecisive and entirely too attached to Gatsby, even though they'd only known each other for a few months. He made impressing and being around Gatsby a large part of his life, and honestly, I just didn't like his character. I felt like he had no real grounding. The only definite parts of his life were Jordan barely, Gatsby and Daisy.

It was a good book and I'll probably end up reading it again in the next few months. I need time to recuperate. One can only handle so much of James Gatz (who wasn't actually and Oxford man, big surprise there).

An Ode to the French Fry

This afternoon, when several other IB students and I were all huddled together on the Sea Isle Elementary School stage, directing the 4th and 5th grade CLUE students' performances of their own original spins on various Greek myths (whoo! What and intro, eh?), it hit me: I'm getting old!

I mean, here I was , surrounded a bunch of ten-year-olds still squeamish over holding each other's hands for fear of cooties, and all I could think was Holy crab-cakes, I'm getting some serious mileage! In reality, these kids were born when I was like what? Five, six,years old?  Now they're all looking up to me in wide-eyed wonder, fascinated that my best-friend can drive, and I have a true-blue cell phone! Which brings me to french fries.

When I was ten, I had an obsession with fast food, or, more specifically, McDonald's french fries--that and Joe Jonas. As a child, my whole world revolved around who was dating 'my man' and whether or not my mom would make that pit-stop at the Mickey D's around the corner everyday after school so I could get my french-fry fix. These kids, however, have their eyes set on Harvard, and Broadway, and making a real difference in the world--not that I wasn't, considering I had my whole life planned out at age six--but all I as a young woman, ready to leave the comfort of home and brave the unknown of college life, can think of is how simple life back then was and wish for a day to go back in time when all that really counted in life were french fries...and the Jo Bros...

*Yes I do realize this was not an ode, but I felt like calling it an ode so an ode it will be :P *

Sherrod's note: pseudo-ode

An Open Letter To Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines"

It's been brought to my attention that this is becoming one of the most popular songs ever. Like, it's surpassing even some of Michael Jackson's most famous hits. This frustrates me for multiple reasons and I"m going to create a list for you all, just so you can understand my frustration.

• I understand that the song is catchy, I do. But, the music isn't even originally his. The melody was taken from some older song that I can't remember the name of but my mom loves. And, yes, I understand that he is not the first person to use other people's mixes for his songs. That's been done millions of times. It's just annoying that almost everyone is acting like he's some producing genius when it's not even his music.
• Then there's the lyrics. The words are just down right rude and degrading to women and, if he used these actual lines on actual women, there's like a 99.9% chance he'd get slapped or have a drink tossed in his face. Also, some of these lines are words that rapists have said to their victims. If one more person tells me it's "just a song" they will probably get smacked.
• Now, let's talk about the video. The video for the song is full of women parading around naked. All of them look absolutely miserable, for one thing. Then, they're being followed around and touched by these men who are all fully clothed. It's not even the fact that they're wearing clothes. It's the fact that they're wearing suits, a form of clothing usually associated with power. When people say they are "naked" metaphorically, it means they are vulnerable. So we have all of these "vulnerable" women being followed around by "powerful" or "dominant" men. 
• The "Blurred Lines", in this case, are the lines between saying "No" and saying "Yes". By constantly saying "I know you want it", Robin is basically saying "You don't mean no. You mean yes." But I'm saying that there are no 'blurred' lines. No means no.

This song is rape culture in its purest form and I despise it with all my heart. I don't care if I'm "overreacting" because a song like this should not be as popular as it is. It's disgusting, to be honest.
But, hey, maybe I am overreacting and maybe it is "just as song". I'll be able to sleep so much better at night knowing "it's just a song."

Why I can't finish my math tests on time (besides them being really hard)

So our IB mathematics teacher keeps telling us that these tests he's giving are easy and that we should have learned all of the things we've been covering from algebra 2.
Well, there's a problem with that: the only thing we learned in algebra 2 is how to sing the quadratic formula to the tune of  "all around the mulberry bush," and even that is debatable since some of us learned that in geometry.
Long story short, the average grade on the last test he gave us was about a 33%
He maintains that it was an easy test
I wanted to flip a table
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Anyway...
I've decided that one of the many factors contributing to my low test grades is that I get distracted too easily (you'd think I would have thought of this sooner since I have ADD, but, nooooo)
To illustrate just how distracted I get, and just how easily, I whipped up this video.
Coincidentally, I did the whole thing in the middle of my math homework... 
I mean, I did this in my spare time...

Yep, that's me... and yes, I do have green hair, and no, this is not an exaggeration. Just ask Michelle and Mariatu.

So, I should get some sleep now, because, well

When do teachers all assign important projects at the same time?

I wish you all minimal homework and maximum GPAs.



Live long and prosper
Sherrod

U8RTENJFH39E

An Open Letter To Hollywood

There are plenty of places I can go with this, but I want to talk about the accuracy of book-to-movie productions. Sometimes you get really close and that's great. I applaud you. But, sometimes it seems like you just throw the book in the blender and do what you want with the pieces that survive.

I understand that it may be difficult to find talented actors that perfectly match descriptions in the books, but if that detail is vital to the plot or is brought up constantly (i.e. Harry Potter having his mother's eyes) then maybe you could try just a little harder to at least edit it to match the description. It's not that hard to get colored contacts.

Also, I really hate what you did with the City of Bones movie because there are so many things wrong with it. The Nephilim are European, yes, but European does not equate to British. Based on the book, Idris, the Nephilim nation, is closer to Germany than the UK. Plus, an accent wasn't even necessary considering that the three main Nephilim characters grew up in America.


***SPOILER ALERT*** 
hopeful movie viewers/book readers DO NOT PROCEED!








Then there's the fact that you completely ruined the concept of the second movie! When they went to see Madame Dorothea, no one but Clary knew where the Mortal Cup was, so having Jace point it out immediately was ridiculous. Also, when Valentine was finally physically present, he didn't know that Clary was in the room. Oh, and, at the end? Yeah, Valentine was supposed to have the cup, not Clary. The main point of City of Ashes is that Valentine obtained the Mortal Instruments. If Clary still has it, how is that going to work? Oh, yeah. It's not! Valentine's whole entire plot has basically fallen apart in your incapable hands!

Please refrain from making movies based on books if you are not going to do it properly. It would save every book lover a lot of grief.

Michelle

A Review (or critique depending on how you look at it) of the Teen Icon

It's times like these, when I'm holed up in my room doing homework, that I realize how lucky I am to not be a teen superstar and/or sensation; their life sucks and in some instances, they're straight up awful people.

As an average teenager, I am allowed the luxury of sleeping whenever, for however long I'd like (until my mom walks in and screams for me to get up). These teen idols, however, are forced to live on a routinized schedule prohibiting them from just sleeping in or gallivanting around the town with their friends.

I, unlike the 'perfect' teen idols, can eat what I want--which I take full advantage of--and don't have to worry about whether studio executive will whine at me for not being fit and trim. This is not to say I eat excessively--well actually I do, but my metabolism loves me right now--but teen idols don't get to just have a nacho party when they're craving some nachos really badly. So really, I have nothing against these people, in fact I sympathize with them; that is until they become self-centered brats with intense god-complexes. That's right, I'm talking Bieber, Aaron Carter, and all those other teen idols that went cuckoo bananas the second fame hit them in the face like a sack of elephants.

I just can't understand what would prompt these children to believe themselves to be so superior and therefore have the right to spit on their fans, urinate in mop buckets, and do other horrendous atrocities. It just doesn't make sense! Perhaps the exhaustion of being worked like pack-mules for so many years zapped their brains or something; frankly I don't know nor do I care, but whatever the reason, it's no excuse to be a butt. Just saying.

-Mariatu 

Because English...

Commonly held idea: babies keep their parents up all night
Equally common expression: "to sleep like a baby" meaning to sleep well or soundly
What the juice box, English speaking world!?

The Great Gasby

Recently, on one of my many book hunting expeditions, I picked up a used copy of The Great Gatsby. I am slightly ticked off that the copy in best condition still had loads of extremely bad writing in it, however it's not worn or anything like that, so I'll ignore that. What I wanted to talk about, though, was Gatsby himself.

Now, if you've seen the movie (original or modern, it doesn't matter) or read the book, you understand that Gatsby is a very extravagant man. He's wealthy, throws parties almost every night (we'll talk about why later), and is supposedly Oxford educated (a lot of their characters have their own opinions on the validity of that).

Here's my problem with Gatsby. He's very odd. Let's back up to the parties. He threw these parties in hopes of seeing an old flame, Daisy, yet he never actually invites her to these parties. He bought a mansion so he could live across the bay from this same woman. Who is married. He hasn't spoken to this woman at all and is getting all of her friends to set up a meeting between the two of them. I just found the whole "I read the Chicago paper in hopes to see her name" creepy. It's almost an obsession for him.

I'll admit that I am only halfway through the book, so maybe my disliking of him might change by the end. Maybe not. We'll just wait and see.

Michelle

A Commentary on Popular Culture and the American Psyche

First, this is a video of Tom Hiddleston reading Shakespeare's sonnet 18.

Now, hear me out, I won't take long (we only have a few moments until every fangirl on the internet faints, anyways). As most of you (at least those of you who aren't living under a rock... and aren't my mom) probably know, this man, more specifically, this British man with a nice accent and immeasurable fame, played Loki on the box office smash The Avengers. He recently took the stage at Comic Con in full costume and the crowd basically obeyed his every whim. Frankly, he was exponentially more successful at Comic Con than he was in the actual movie. You need only read one of the many articles describing the incident, or watch a video, or read the comments on the above youtube clip to determine for yourself how many and devoted are his fans.
And to this I say... Seriously?
I mean, forget Loki! Tom Hiddleston could rally a veritable army without any Norse or Marvel cannon behind him. If all the time the internet devotes to Tom Hiddleston was devoted, instead, to volunteering at homeless shelters or otherwise helping the community, how much would our neighborhoods improve!? Think about it...
Not that there's anything wrong with people being famous, or with non-famous people being interested in them and their lives, it's just that it's such a funny thing to think that we allocate so much of our time and resources to keeping up with these strangers who we don't know and who don't know us.
Like the internet.
Or professional football.

Given virtually unlimited knowledge and monetary resources, what do we do?
We procrastinate and we pay people ridiculous amounts of money to give each other brain damage.
At the very least we watch the commercials.

And on that note I will leave you with your thoughts.


Live long and prosper
Sherrod

An Open Letter to the Slackers

*From now on, the majority of my posts will be made in pink as I find the color pretty :)*

Dear teenagers that come to school high, drunk, and/or wasted,

It is nearly impossible for me to fathom. I will not, do not, and cannot understand your lackadaisical approach to life. No disrespect intended, but honestly, don't you care about anything?! I get it: you're only young once, but dude, you can only fail a grade so many times.

Perhaps as an overachieving self-proclaimed dork, I am not able to comprehend how cool it is to just not worry about my college resume, and future, but at the same time, don't you want to succeed at something or be able to say you got an 'A' at least once after you got past the first grade?

You can't be young forever, despite what Twilight, One Direction, and whoever else says; wise up, crack open a book, and be realistic about the road you're headed down.

Sincerely,

Mariatu

Introducing Me

Good morning, afternoon, night (depending on where you are)

I'm Mariatu, that's Mary-ought-to...it's kind of like a pun. Like any non-normal teenage girl, I spend my free time practicing my Spanish via one-sided conversations with my mother, long walks on imaginary beaches, dreaming of moving to Canada, and spending countless hours with my face glued to my laptop screen so I can get my latest fix of Netflix.( I'm currently watching The Gates, which I highly recommend if you're bored out of your mind.) I'm actually quite bubbly and also quite tall, and very much of a dork. Someday I plan to pursue a career as a lawyer, but for now I'm toughing it out as a junior in my school's IB program. I hope you enjoy our blog...well even if you don't we'll continue to post anyway, but...

Comment if you like us, don't comment if you don't and remember to just keep swimming ;)

-Mariatu

An open letter to everyone who sags

I really don't understand the purpose of sagging. I mean, really. For those of you who don't know, sagging originated in prison to show everyone that you belonged to someone. Now, it's one of the most popular fashion trends among men and some girls. I honestly don't see why people find that appealing in any way. 

I do not want to walk down the hallways and catch a glimpse of your Ninja Turtle boxers. I just don't. And, the people who try to justify it by wearing basketball shorts underneath, you're still doing it. There are even people who manage to sag while wearing a belt. What is the purpose of even wearing the belt?! You're not using it! If you haven't realized by now, belts were created to hold pants up at your hips or waist or wherever pants are meant to sit. They are not meant to keep the fabric clinging around your knees.

That's another thing! At first, it was just a little sag, maybe just a bit of boxer. Now, there are guys walking around having to hold their pants up because they're almost below their knees. How about, instead of holding them up, you pull them up. Jezzum Crow, just pull your pants up and spare everyone the sight of your underwear. Please. It's not that hard. 

Introducing: Me

My name's Michelle. I am a proud Whovian and Sherlockian. Why? Because British television is just better. My favorite song changes faster than the Memphis weather, and this is not an exaggeration. Okay, so what if it is? I've been told I'm rude but, if you're offended by my honesty, then maybe you deserve it. My list of "Books To Read" is longer than Dumbledore's beard. Currently in the process of aspiring to be a writer, I am also in IB, which means any social life I had beforehand (hahah what social life?) is pretty much over. I am pretty open to most things, however, I despise reality TV more than anything else. I'll be here for Creativity hours with two other IBers, so... 

I'll see *you* later. 

An open letter to John Cage's 4'33"

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this particular piece of music, John Cage's 4'33" is a three movement composition consisting of... wait for it...



silence.
I just watched the orchestral version.

I do heretofore deem John Cage "the Original Hipster". Who else but the original hipster could have sat down and said to himself "you know what would be a really GREAT way to utilize the time and talents of an orchestra full of trained musicians and a professional conductor? Four minutes and thirty three seconds of silence!"? And the funny thing is, apparently people pay to *not* hear this. Talk about irony.

Sure, I understand that he was trying to get a message across that you should be as attentive to the sounds around you as the sounds of an orchestra, that silence can be music too, that there's value in the negative space, beauty in the everyday, and that you should stop and appreciate what's around you. I get that he wanted to make a statement, and that this was more effective than just saying it. I appreciate that. But, man, do you think you could have done it in, maybe, like, two minutes instead? I'm busy.

Introducing: Me

The name's Sherrod (pronounced like Sharon with a 'd'). I am an IB student (read: I have no free time and I'm only doing this for the creativity hours I need to get the IB diploma and avoid gym class). I like Star Trek and Star Wars, and in that order, and anyone who tries to dispute the validity of this is in for a rude awakening from an ace debater. My favorite mediums to craft in are snark, sarcasm, and irony. I figuratively die inside when people throw around the word "literally" like it's parmesan cheese on the spaghetti of conversation. I love to read, but I only read what I love, and if I don't love something, you can count on me to tell you all about it. I'll be writing, ranting, and reviewing alongside my two classmates who will introduce themselves later on.

Live long and prosper
Sherrod