Walt Whitman Argument

Today in class we read Walt Whitman's 'To a Stranger' and were asked to explain what we think the poem is about. Initially, I was under the assumption that it was about someone who had lost someone close to them, like a parent or spouse, considering the 'I can't talk to you, only think of you' line, and that they might be reminded of the lost loved one because as they are walking a stranger walks by them that looks quite similar to the one they lost.

But then, after doing some research on Wikipedia and a few other Ask websites, I found out that he was rumoured to be bisexual, and knowing that it takes place around 1820, where that wasn't acceptable, the poem took a rather interesting turn to it. Now, I think perhaps it is about him sitting somewhere, and thinking of his same-gender love, whom he is unable to see since both his family and the society doesn't approve of the relationship. He's thinking about how he can't talk to them, and only is able to think of them when they wake up alone as opposed to together, which they so direly wish to.

The very first section, which is 'Passing stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you,

You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking, (it comes to me
as of a dream,)
I have somewhere surely lived a life of joy with you,' leads me to think of a few things. Him calling the person he is speaking of 'Passing Stranger' makes me think that he's speaking as if he doesn't know them, and is then confessing things as he goes by. Showing how much care he feels for the person, that he is looking for them, that he's shared a joyful life with them, he's confessing all these things, but not out loud. If he were to admit them out loud then he would surely be reprimanded for it, which means that he's thinking of all these things by his lonesome, wishing that he didn't have to.

Should he be Content?

So, our teacher has been teaching us about Charles Bukowski, starting off with us reading his poem 'How is your Heart?'. He then asked us to make an argument about whether he should be content with his lot in life, or not.

My answer?

No, he should not.

Some may make arguments like 'Money doesn't make you happy' or some random things like that. Pfft, it sure helps- Nah, just kidding. This argument isn't about money, he doesn't need to have some huge mansion and a trophy wife and a bajillion cars, but he should strive to at least have a house of some kind, a roof over his head, food on his plate. I would also say that he's lonely, but then you'd probably mention those he meets in bars, any possible friends, etc., etc., but haven't you taken into account the fact that humans are made for social things, and that we need healthy relationships?? Seriously? Some random person at the bar that's just as hammered as you are can't be considered a friend, nor can the relationship be considered healthy. He should strive to find some real friends, a real woman that won't just leave him in the morning after taking her money from you. He should want to have people that care for him, and to care for. 

So, no, he should not be content with his lot in life. No one should be content in that situation.

Interim Report #1

We were asked to explain what we would do if our parents asked for our grade.

Well, my parents (or at least the one that would ask) is very understanding, so I'd just have to explain that I think I got a G, because I do all the assignments as well as I can on the day that they're assigned, and I focus on the class, and do everything properly. 

     If she required proof, then I'd show her my blog and explain everything to her, let her read through things, and then explain to her how that relates to me thinking I got a G. I'd then get her opinion on it, and we'd discuss it, and see how it ended up.

Tattoo Assignment

I designed this tattoo on a few factors; like the circle of flags. They all represent the several ethnicities that make me, and make what I look like, therefore the outer shell. Going counterclockwise from the top, you can see them in order of most influential, to least. 

The six golden stars are to represent my six closest friends, who are all light stars in my mind and make everything brighter. The four golden koi are to represent my parents and grandparents, who are all golden to me and who I wish all the luck and fortune that the koi represents.

The heart in the center is actually based of of a tattoo I'm planning on getting in a year or two, though it's just going to be an outline of a heart inn black, and all the ladies in my family are going to be getting it. It's to represent being connected.

The 1000 is to represent that I was born on the eve of a millennia, and it being in a digital clock format is to represent that I was born in the age of a major increase in technology.

I'm an INFJ!!!

Wow, this is pretty spot on! Originally, I was confused by it saying I was introverted, but it actually makes sense now! I've been called creative, I've been called kind, people say that I love to help people, and I have to agree with them. If someone asks for help, I'm one of the first to assist them. I am also very strong in what I believe in; I won't do something if I think it's wrong. This made me think about the things I could think of as a job, because there were a few there that I had already thought of, and a few that actually shocked me; they think I'd be a good actor? A social worker, a teacher? I didn't really think of any of these as a career option. There's nothing really off about the test, though, now that I think about it. This is exactly me!