Writing Challenge #5

My conversation with The Little Mermaid, Princess Ariel.

Me: "Hello Princess Ariel! I'm very excited to be meeting with you today. I believe that I am your biggest fan."
Ariel: "It'd good to be with you today, Willie. I love your hair. Is it natural?"
Me: "Yes, it is. I take great pride in my hair color. While you're with me do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
Ariel: "Go right ahead! It's part of my princess duties to talk with my people."
Me: "Question number one. Is it true that you like to collect human objects that have sunk to the bottom of the ocean from human ships?"
Ariel: "Yes, it is my favorite hobby. I like to look for shining silver in the sand or go exploring in sunken ships and see what treasures I can find. The best treasure that I ever found was a snow globe with a married couple embracing in it. I am happy that I have found the love of my life, Prince Eric. And I can also go between having legs and being a mermaid."
Me: "That leads me to question number two. How is it that you can be both mermaid and a human. Can't you only be one or the other?"
Ariel: "That is a really good question, something that confuses a lot of people. My father, King Triton, wanted me to stay a mermaid to be with my family and find a nice merman to marry. But when I found Eric I knew there would be no other man for me in my life. My father soon realized this and rather than losing me forever by letting me be human, it was his idea to be human half the time and then mermaid the other half of the time. I am then able to keep relationships with my sisters and father, as well as my husband and human friends."
Me: "That is really cool of your dad. I'm happy that you can have both of your lifestyles work for you. I'm almost done with my time with you. I'm going to have this one count the best. Tell me your secret beauty tips and how you stay the fabulous princess that you are."
Ariel: "I don't know if I can pass along my knowledge and secrets! But for a fellow red head I must. To keep my hair long and silky, I shampoo and double condition every day. Once a week I do a vinegar rinse to keep the dirty oils and crud from ruining my hair. The vinegar is a trick my mother passed along to me. It's true when they say mothers know best! To be a good princess is easy. I never lie, cheat, or steal. I am honest to everyone. I care for others and am there when somebody needs me. I put family and friends first so they know that they matter to me. Also I believe that being a positive person means everything. You seem like a fine young lady yourself, I bet it won't be hard for you to do any of those things."
Me: "Oh, thank you Ariel. You really are the best princess out of the Disney movies. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to meet and talk with you today. I will remember this for the rest of my life."
Ariel: "It was my pleasure Willie. Feel free to come down to my underwater kingdom any time!"

THE END!

Writing Challenge #4

Juliet was the girl who always said too much. Everyone at school knew to stay away from her if they wanted a secret to stay a secret. It seemed to be that after almost any encounter with Juliet, she always ended her conversation with "Oops! I said too much". No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't contain any gossip information to herself. This often got Juliet into trouble. Juliet's best friend, Margo, wanted to help her friend so she could finally keep secrets. Margo had some big news but didn't want anyone else to know, except her best friend. Only her best friend was the person she absolutely couldn't tell! Margo devised a plan that would help Juliet get over her problem of constantly "saying too much". She would tell Juliet that she had a secret to tell her but NOT TO TELL ANYONE. The secrets would actually be little fibs about other people around the school. Margo thought that little bits of gossip would be easier to take in for Juliet. Then as Juliet got better at keeping them to herself, Margo would make bigger and bigger fibs until Juliet was ready to hear the real secret of Margo's. This was a fool proof plan Margo thought to herself. This way Juliet learns not to gossip and no one's real secrets were revealed and passed around. The first piece of gossip Margo shared with Juliet was, "Did you know that Mr. Rarston used to be a model?". This wasn't that juicy of information so Juliet kept it to herself. Margo was very pleased with this first result and a week later tried something a little bit better. She told Juliet that Rebecca didn't really have a boyfriend at another school, but made some guy up so people would like her. Juliet didn't seem that interested in this topic either, so this fib also stayed in her head and wasn't passed around. Margo thought that she was the biggest genius in the world for starting to break Juliet's habit. Margo decided to have a little bit more fun with the fake secrets. They then started pouring out of her and into Juliet's head. Mandi didn't go on vacation for spring break, she spent that money on a nose job.  Paul and Ruby are about to break up because Ruby found Paul cheating on her with Blair. Mrs. Phelps was seen at an AA meeting. These were the thoughts that consumed Juliet's brain after Margo told her them. Juliet wasn't sure where Margo was getting all this gossip from but she sure enjoyed drinking it in. Up until now Juliet had been doing really well at keeping Margo's lies a secret. She also wanted to not be the girl that always said too much, it made people not trust her which made her sad. She also didn't want to let down  her best friend. Margo had one more lie to tell Juliet before she told her the real secret. She had to make sure that Juliet was ready to handle it, even though she had been doing so well so far. Too bad the second biggest gossip in school, Vanessa, was on the prowl for more gossip to spread. Vanessa had noticed that Juliet wasn't talking as much as she usually did. She had a hunch that Juliet was holding in big gossip and Vanessa wasn't going to miss out on learning it. She walks up to Juliet and say "Hi darling! We haven't talked in a while, I have soooooo much to tell you. I've been hearing things!". Juliet was excited to hear everything that Vanessa had to share. Without even thinking twice, Juliet opened her mouth to tell all the gossip she had that Margo gave her. It all poured out from being contained for too long. Vanessa stood wide eyed as Juliet went on and on. Margo approaches the two girls and hears the end of the conversation where Juliet tells Vanessa the last "secret" Margo shared with her. Vanessa is grinning from ear to ear and quickly walks away to spread the news she just received. All Margo can think of saying is "Oh no, I've said too much".

Writing Challenge #3

It was a dark and stormy Saturday night. I was scheduled to babysit for a family but wanted them desperately to call and cancel. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Entering their home, a cold shiver shot down my spine. This house gave me the creeps in all of the wrong ways. Even the parents and kids seemed a little off. None of them made eye contact with me, which was odd, and mostly nodded. It was as if they weren't fully there. And they were so pale, almost as if I touched them there wouldn't be anything. I couldn't wait to be back in my safe and sound home. The night went smoothly and pretty soon the kids were in bed sleeping. I wandered into their living room to pick out a movie to watch until the parents came home. I clicked the remote to turn the t.v. on but nothing happened. All the cords were plugged in, yet it wouldn't turn on. Then the lights began to flicker. I decided that the storm was affecting the houses electricity. I decided to fix the light problem. I was scared and not looking forward to going downstairs into the dank corner of the basement where the fuse box was located. The flickering lights reminded me of something I had heard about this house from my parents. There was a rumor about the history of this house. It was haunted. Lights were known to blink on and off, people were seen in the windows when no one was home, and cat meows and dog barks were heard in the house even though the family didn't own pets. All of this was superfluous to the fact that I was needing to go to the damp and clammy basement. I slowly descended the stairs with a flashlight in my hand. A huge clap of thunder made me almost jump out of my skin. I made myself suck it up and finished going downstairs. I quickly found the fuse box and flicked the switch. Now the lights  and t.v. should work I thought to myself. Turning around I thought I saw a shadow move at the top of the stairs. Then the floor creaked where the living room would be located above my head. This is ridiculous I thought, as the babysitter I was responsible and the only authority figure in the house, I can't let a stormy night get the best of me. It probably didn't help that my ardent passion for reading horror stories added to my imagination. I returned to the main floor and saw that everything was fine. I decided to go check on the kids. At the top landing of the stairs I could have sworn that I saw another shadow now moving at the bottom where I had just been. It looked to be a small shadow, maybe one of their kids, but it would have been impossible for one to pass me as I went up. Opening the bedroom door I see that both beds are empty and haven't look slept in for days. I began to panic. Rushing down the stairs I look for what could have been the shadows I saw earlier, hoping that they were the kids. I can't find anyone. Reaching for the phone I try and dial 911. The line is dead, I hadn't fixed the power like I thought I had. As I start to go downstairs yet again I pass the back door. I see two people coming towards the house, but they are neither the parents nor the kids. They get closer. The door is unlocking. I'm face to face with two strangers I have never seen before. Their faces tell me that they are just as afraid as I am. The talking begins and I'm told that they live here, and have been for the past 6 years. They don't have any children. They haven't been home. All. Night.

Writing Challenge #2

AIRPLANE SEEN FLYING IN THE SKY! By: Willie Webb
Just yesterday, April 14th, 2011, an airplane was spotted by a Minneapolis resident in the early afternoon. Alexa Silver, the viewer, is still in shock of what she saw. "It was unbeliveable, one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed" Silver stated as soon as reporters were able to contact her. Most people have heard about these so called "flying airplanes" but few have witnessed the event. This will be a moment that Alexa will remember for the rest of her life. Some believe that there is no such thing as "flying airplanes" but hopefully more will be convinced after reading this article. The last recorded sighting was in 1985 in a small town in Iowa. Not even born yet in '85, Silver herself admitted to doubting the truth in that story. However, now she says "I will never doubt something just because I haven't seen it for myself". Silver believes that she saw a 747 airplane, one of the rarest sights to see. For those of you who don't know what that is, a 747 is supposedly a gigantic, two level airplane. It is thought to be the best airplane available, though no one is sure. Silver does admit to not being one hundred percent sure that this is the type of plane she saw. "Since it was the first plane I've seen in my entire life, which I am priviledged to be able to say, I didn't get a good enough look at the body to see exact details". She goes on to say that the airplane moved much faster than she would have thought it to. She was also surprised to see that a trail of smoke followed the end of the airplane. This is the first sighting of an airplane to have smoke trailing it, which airplane research specialists are quite excited to hear about. With this new piece of evidence that airplanes can make a smoke trail, specialists will put in the research to try and prove the new information. Silver, who you should be proud to say you share a city with her, will be sharing her story of this incredible experience for the next two Monday's. The set location for this event is at the Barnes and Noble at the Mall of America. My hope is that all the readers of this article will perhaps change their belief on the "flying airplane" and have the heart to open their minds. Remember, seeing isn't always believing Minneapolis.  

Writing Challenge #1

It was my 18th birthday weekend. I was now officially an adult and living the life in the chaotic streets of New Orleans. My heart felt like it was beating 100 beats per second. My knees were shaking beneath my dress. This is it I thought to myself. "Please welcome Willie Webb to the stage from South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota" Irvin Mayfield said last Saturday night at his Jazz Playhouse club in New Orleans. After a morning performance with the Jazz Band in the playhouse, Irvin Mayfield, the owner, invited me back to sing with his band later that night for a show. I was speechless. The band director, Scott Carter, was beaming with pride that one of his students would have this kind of opportunity. When he asked I knew that I had to say yes. This was a chance of a lifetime for me. Irvin Mayfield is an outstanding musician and has won a Grammy for his band's music. For the rest of the day up until my performance all I could do was think "how can this be possible?". As it grew nearer to my performance I started getting butterflies in my stomach like I usually do before I perform. Except they were more extreme than ever. No performance I have done has ever been this big.  We arrive and I see that the club is packed with people. There is a jazz festival going on in New Orleans, which is why we are there on tour, and I know that I am going to need to really impress these people. They have been hearing professionals all weekend and are attending a Grammy award winning band show that night. Could I really do this with jazz lovers watching and possibly judging? It was as if my friend Lisa could read my thoughts. As we were seated she turned to me and said "You are going to do great. I know that you can handle this". Hearing the sincerity in her voice I believed her and started to become excited. Then those words came out of Irvin Mayfield's mouth. I walked up on stage, handed the musicians my music, and turned towards the microphone. Singing my song was a blur. I can barely remember the band starting and all the sudden it was over. The club bursts into applause, along with all my friends supporting me from jazz band. That alone was one of my top ten moments of my life. I knew I had done well and was proud of myself. This will not only be a trip that I will remember forever, but also the start of my adult life. Who else can say that for their 18th birthday they performed with jazz professionals? Not a lot I bet. Now with being back home and going to school, I keep thinking "That (this) was some adventure, huh?".

Blog Post/Reading Response #9

Blog: I am very happy with where my group is with the documentary. We have all of our footage shot and only have to worry about editing and putting together the pieces. It is such a relief! The only disappointing part is that the interview we tried to set up with Children's Home Society didn't work out. The person that we emailed never responded. But I think that our documentary will be really good without it. As for editing, we have all the pieces from each interviewee that we think could be used. All we have to do now is put the story together in the right order and cut down the time. We have about 2 minutes already of footage that is cut down and makes sense as a story. I'm excited that things are going so well with a draft due on Monday.
Response: I found this article to be a little confusing. The beginning made me think that Aguilar was going to discuss the faults in freedom of speech and how society can't really ever be free to speak their mind. Then it goes on to talk about the issue in Cuba and how freedom of speech is a huge issue there. I had no idea that it was so hard to be a writer and speak your mind in Cuba. So even though I was confused at times, I learned about an important issue. But I believe that the problem in Cuba is also true here in the U.S.  As Aguilar states, "the formula of a single guide, a single watchword, and common obedience is preferred", this suggests that real freedom of speech doesn't exist with this unwritten rule. Due to this unwritten rule, society holds its tongue and our truth stays silent. This is a sad thought but I agree with it.

Blog post/Reading response #8

Blog: My group still has a little bit of work to do. Our filming is not quite done, but it will be by Tuesday. We have a camera for the whole weekend and have times set aside to interview Leah and her sister. We are going to email someone from Children's Home Society to ask if we can interview a worker this weekend. We would ask them about what the typical family is like that pursues adoption, how their job works, and other specific things about the adoption process. The most challenging part for our group will be editing all of our footage to create the documentary. Making a 30 second trailer took 4-5 hours, so I'm a little worried about the amount of time it will take for the 5 minute film.
Response: A lot of this article by Martin Luther King, Jr. stuck with me and made me very sad. The parts about young boys witnessing horrible things, not having any sort of stability in their lives, and being able to restrain themselves when being fought against. Only knowing violence and having no supportive family around is nothing that I am familiar with. This is a completely foreign lifestyle to me. Reading this article made me much more aware of all the wonderful things I have in my life and take for granted at times.
I also admire the courage that these young men showed, especially in the specific Chicago marches. They witnessed women and children of their race being attacked with weapons and tear gas, and all they had were their own bodies. Even when they were verbally abused and had objects thrown at them, the men still didn't lash out and cause more trouble. They were able to show their strength by containing themselves. They were the real heroes. After all the challenges they faced in their lives the young men rose above the evils and bad choices they could have made, and chose to give the gift of love. The act of nonviolence shows more courage than that of violence, which I truly admire along with Martin Luther King, Jr.