Phteven Kung

Heh.

"Riding the Bullet" by Stephen King- the only book I actually remember the plot to.

This novella, lasting around 80 pages, mentioned death and cars and hitchhiking and cat piss and Alzheimers and rollercoasters and Alzheimers. More specifically, "Riding the Bullet" is about a college student, Alan Parker, and his journey to visit his hospitalized mother. Problem is, he's a college student. He also doesn't have a car. He also is 120 miles away. He also can't to pay someone. So our hero has to hitchhike. 

He entered cars, he exited cars, he did other things to complete asyndetons. After loitering around wasting time, time wastes him. He's picked up by the one person he does not want to see in this situation. 

What a beautiful cliffhanger. Please applaud loudly. 

Derived from a real life incident King himself faced, this horror novella leaves you constantly feeling anxious and waiting for more. 

Oliver Hudson- World's Best Columnist

Oliver Hudson. A right-wing voice in a campus where “conservative” is considered a curse word. Sadly for Tronald Dump and Co. he’s not a very good one. His statistics are outdated and reasoning is just plain stupid. Full of ideas even the most radical republican would find disgusting, his columns are full of filler and lack anything logical. Hudson’s writing and political viewpoints have given him lots of (negative) attention. While most of his pieces do not garner any attention, there’s the occasional outburst of stupidity that gets him attention.  I chose this writer because his completely inane views and just how entertaining it is to read- although it make you do a little cringe every time you come to a significantly idiot point of his.

Although, Hudson can write. He does have a voice and uses many aspects of writer’s craft in his columns. In “A Policy to Increase Unemployment” Hudson asks many rhetorical questions and uses elevated diction to try and sound smarter than he actually is. In “Universal Suffrage is Immoral” the genius continues to astound us by asking even more rhetorical and philosophical questions. Hudson also uses the genius tactic of using outdated resources to benefit his cause.

Truly an inspiration this Hudson man is. I recommend reading his works and truly enjoying it.

The jaw-dropping face of Oliver Hudson.

Glassesless

So I can't actually

See the board

It's just a blur of scribbles

Dips and rises as the text goes on

So I can't actually 

See the board

So my attention starts to wander

Doodles fill the page

The teacher's voice droning as the lesson goes on

So I can't actually

See the board

Nodding along as if I get it

Even though it's just a jumble of colors

Faking my way through

Because that's just the way the day goes on

So I can't actually

See the board

The dull blend of everything

I squint and gaze at

Sends pulses of heat throughout

My brain and being

And that's the way a day without glasses goes on

I chose this piece because it struck me as different compared to my other poems and stories. There was a certain simpleness and elegance to this one that I couldn't find in any others. The combination of something simple, like losing your glasses, and the more complex resultant of that, contemplating literally everything as you can't see the lessons, lead to a balanced piece that I really liked. 

While revising I found that quite a few stanzas adding nothing to overall message of the song and promptly deleted them. That's about all the editing that I did.

2nd Quarter Reflection

              Compared to last quarter both the quantity and rigor of the books I read have increased. While I tried to expand what I read last quarter (short stories, poems, and other pieces similar), I focused more on reading some more challenging books this semester. Like trading quality for quantity- or enjoyment for money. Those things that you really don't want to do but end up doing because you need to show improvement and progress. I've read 12 books starting with the word "the" this semester including The Racketeer, The Confession, The Associate, The Appeal, and The Last Juror among others. The best book I read this quarter was 1984 by George Orwell. The combination of relatable characters and a dystopian society makes an absolutely amazing read that I'd recommend to anyone. Regarding my book choices, I've found I'm interested to books with a main character that doesn't have any special powers or stands out from anyone else. As someone who is absolutely brilliant in every way whatsoever* it's good to  read book about a character that cannot cause a massive change in the world with some superhuman strength or genius like IQ. 

               For this semester I'd like to read at least four graphic novels. They're a type of book that I absolutely love to read but find hard to find. Many graphic novels are drawn in an absolutely beautiful art style and I can learn from both the writing and art style.  

               

The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre

"The whole world is a playhouse

Totus mundus agit histrionem"

A Brand New Source of Entertainment
   Come one; come all! For only one denarius you can get away from your regular soul crushing, disease ridden, depressing, half-life and engage in activities for everyone! Whether you're looking to experience the fine acts put on by the theatrical company "Lord Chamberlain's Men", watch routine and well-orchestrated animal cruelty, or engage in some shady business, the Globe Theatre is for you!

Plays
    The Globe Theatre offers a variety of Shakespearean plays, with Hercules as its' first. Viewing of all plays only costs one denarius for basic standing seating and extra denarii can be spent to ensure your comfort and all your needs tended to. So come stand with 3,000 others and enjoy an experience like no other!

Bear-Baiting
    This one goes out to all you sadists not understanding something like this is morally wrong. Be sure to try and make money through betting as you watch once lovable dogs attack bears and risk their lives simply for your enjoyment! This is truly a fantastic spectacle and you should not at all be ashamed of seeing such acts.

Brothels
    Due to the fact that we're located in Southwark, we tend to attract some of the seedy type. With this in mind, come visit our brothels where you can pay us top dollar to not feel as lonely! If you are a bit upperclass, do not be turned away! We assure you, our workers are considered the best of Southwark, so come on over and enjoy all of our services. 
Now it seems what I was talking about got lost on some of you. To be blunt, I'm talking about the prostitution that was going on in the Globe Theatre.

Picture This

After realizing that I could draw literally anything, and as long as I have a suitable explanation it would work, I've come up with this illustration that can only be described as an absolute train wreck. Now that I've followed through with my realization I'm now regretting this. So I'll try and blind you with large words so I sound smart and you look past the lack of content.

This illustration which is done in a post-WWII style known as "abstract expressionism" depicts the tacit relationship between the Old and New People in the Khmer caste system. The regalia of the Khmer Rouge is displayed aloft to represent the Old People with more authority, weighing down upon the New People. This truly does depict the aforementioned situation as it shows the plight of the New People and how they must support the rest of the caste system on their shoulders alone. 

The Boring Reflection that People aren't Interested In

To start my aptly named reflection I shall begin by stating the required information in the chance I end up getting into an incredibly off-topic rant like I usually do in things like these. But I mean, I could just say those rants are my "voice" and to not do them wouldn't be authentic to my character. Let's not start that though.

I finished 10 books this quarter. This was a bit less than my usual due to extracurriculars, homework, and choosing books that were both longer and more challenging than what I've read before. The best book I read this quarter would have to be  A Comprehensive Guide to the Majestic Creature Known as the Squid Prompt Me by W.P Kimball. This was a fantastic collection of short stories and prompts that really hit home at times.
I felt myself getting drawn to these kinds of novellas and collections this semester, as they all had to be written in a style I found unique.  These stories required you to form a bond with a character in only a couple pages or paragraphs so you can relate with the characters in the end. This is different from what I used to read as I always frowned down upon these kind of books in favour of the giant 500 page behemoths.

Outside of Prompt Me, the book I "spiritually read" would have to be The Art of War by Sun Tzu. It's required reading in areas everywhere from the military to corporate. With that in mind, I approached the book with a different mindset and really connected with the novel in a way I wouldn't expect. Although some of the translations were pretty shoddy, I did feel like I understood what was going on, past the text. This was a great book in which I read, remembered, and gained something from.