Inspired by Nighthawks

Every time I look at the painting Nighthawks, I can't help but put myself in one of the people's shoes sitting in the diner. Everyone has their own story in our life. There are so many different scenarios and lifestyles around us constantly, which we think little of. Putting myself in these people's shoes, I feel a sense of awkwardness. It seems it's late at night, perhaps after a night at work between all three of the customers. The diner might be a destination that is quick and easy before hitting the bed at their living places. Or they could all be regulars, and go to the establishment on a daily or weekly basis. The possibilities are essentially endless. There are so many unique stories in this world that could keep a mass of people interested for a lifetime. Being human, being interested in another's story always seems like a normality. Very rarely we pass up an opportunity to learn about someone as long as we are interested in listening. This painting pushes my desire to explore stories of the people who want to share their lives. You can never tell where a person comes from or what it took to get to the present moment. That's why certain stories are so interesting, to compare your lives and see what each other's problems are in the long run. The waiter in this painting represents that people who listen to these stories. I can only imagine what he is thinking while listening to all of these different personalities and stories. I highly doubt that the waiter in this story says anything in response however. Since these stories might be so in depth and deep, he might not have any place to say anything, kind of like most people in today's world.

Window Poem

Looking outside upon my fathers fresh cut lawn.


The green grass radiating brightness and that fresh cut smell.

My friends playing football in the yard.

Mother calling us all in for dinner as the sun sets.

It seemed like paradise at the time, but then we all grew up.

Inspired by Friedrich

The storm was brewing on a cheery day

What was a warm and delightful day, turns dull

Thunder and lightning crackle across the sky

The infinite amount of noise entertains viewers

Although enjoyments is brought, so is fear

As many believe a god is after their very being

Many consider it revenge, but is the opposite

Signs of growth and also necessary for survival

One of the most threatening events brings a necessity of life; water

Many still fear for their very lives and shake when they hear the legendary boom of lightning






The setting of the sun creates a smile on many faces

The distant but touching ruins stand strong as ever

Ivy grows over the enchanted land that was fought on

Even though there is a sense off loss, there is thankfulness

Forgiveness remains, even in the toughest of times

Greediness still looms in the distance, far away

The pillars still stand tall, once a time they were white

It was believed the gods of the greeks stood here

Massive thrones and various weapons lined the halls

Then it was taken by a great evil that was destroyed by the returning good and peace remained

Caspar David Friedrich

   Caspar David Friedrich was born of September 5th, 1774 in Griefswald, Sweden. He grew up in a fairly large family with his brothers and sisters along with his parents. He spent most of his time at home outside of school where he received a strict education from protestants in his hometown. Caspar was raised by his candle making father, Adolph Friedrich, and his mother, Sophie Friedrich. 

   Friedrich met a women when he became older and got fascinated by the study of art. Caroline Bommer was there to support Friedrich through his entire early career and saw all of his early works as an artist. These two later got married and would spend the rest of their lives together. Phillipp Otto Runge was also there to support Friedrich as a friend early on and saw some of his best work from a front seat view. They were really close friends and were for a majority of their lifetimes. 
   His main medium he worked with during his career was oil. All of his landscape pieces had a mass amount of oil used and a majority of his overall work was based on it as well. Friedrich was associated in the Romanticism era and created art during this time period. One of his most famous paintings, The Tetschen Altar, was also one of his most famous works in his career. This painting was also based around oil and was inspired by a personal favorite view.
   As his life wound down and he became more elder and unhealthy, he started losing his beloved personality. Most of his friends could not recognize him without his outgoing personality and organization. Caspar David Friedrich grew elder and died naturally on May 7, 1840. Being an unrecognized artist, Friedrich isn't as popular as Van Gough or others. However, he paved the way for landscaping portraits for artists in the future.

In the News (Papers)

*My story was inspired by the Springfield News Leader in a story over local college Missouri State and their coach Paul Lusk. Some of the story is true information, other parts are not true and add to my fictional story*




   Missouri State has always been a good basketball team. However, it was all threatened whenever Paul Lusk had a chance at leaving the coaching position at Missouri State and moving on to another college. In 2015, after the season ended, Paul Lusk's contract was up as a Bear. The Bears had the decision of re-signing him or just moving on and finding a new coach. 
   Luckily, the Bears resigned Lusk and are continuing to "rebuild" the team and make it to the top class of their division once again. In my news article, I read about Missouri States final loss of the season and how they planned to keep Mr. Lusk in the city of Springfield. Missouri State hasn't been in the top of their division in a couple of years and are looking to turn it around with the next couple of seasons. 
   Now with a more than capable coach that can win games and a decent team that is rebuilding, MSU's best shot are gonna be within the next two years. Mainly because that is a big chunk of Lusk's contract, but other good teams are rebuilding as well. MSU has made it to the postseason many times and can most definitely make it back under this new coach. 
   The ultimate goal is to go undefeated like any other coach. Many people don't think it is possible with such a small school. But defying all of the odds, the MSU Bears won the NCAA championship and held a perfect record. It was a first for school history in both completions and solidified his spot of the greatest coach of all time.

*Again, this story is made up and fictional. Especially the Bears having a perfect record and winning the championship, all of that DID NOT happen. Thank you :)*

Say it in Six

Sports took over when I began.

Memorable Passage

“Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” - Nick Carraway

*SPOILER ALERT TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK OR HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE*


   This quote is from The Great Gatsby. Nick Carraway is the main character of this story and tells the story of him moving into his new house with the famous Jay Gatsby next door. Throughout the story, Nick faces many conflicts with being with his new friend Gatsby. They do a couple of immoral things including denying rules and ultimately leading some of the other characters to their deaths. 
   Carraway says this in the book and it really caught my eye. He said this in a way that showed his life both in a past and present state. It shows that he hasn't trusted many people in his life. He may have had family problems which led to this, or even problems with friends. 
   I relate to this passage in a way where I don't trust a lot of people in life. I trust my family and friends. Quite honestly, that's about all the people I trust in my life. For everyone else, it takes a lot of time before I accept them. It's a personal thing to where I'm nervous to meet new people, but when I get to know them I start to get comfortable.
       

Dan in Real Life Questions

*This post is inspired by the movie Dan in Real Life. These questions were assigned and discussed in our Creative Writing class.


   During the movie, Dan writes a column on parenting advice. The problem is, he has a lot of trouble parenting his own kids. I think it is important to write about what you know. However, I think he knows the truth and knows how to parent correctly, he is just scared to do such a thing. He avoids certain events in the movie that he could easily do the opposite. My definition of parenting is a mixture of doing what your kids want in life and doing what is morally right in life to help them grow. If you only do what your kids want, they will become spoiled. If you are too strict and do what's morally and "safe" all the time, your kids will become rebellious.
   I believe that asking questions make you a good conversationalist. Since I am a journalist, I have to ask questions to get accurate information for the articles I write. Questions give you some reassurance to what you are talking about. Since there is so explaining to do with questions, it keeps the conversation going. To be a good conversationalist, you have to be good at keeping the conversation going. 
   In the movie, Marty says "Love isn't a feeling. It's an ability." I believe this is a true and false statement at the same time. Saying that love is a feeling is false because you can most definitely feel when you like or love someone. You get a warm and fuzzy feeling in your body that you can't just ignore. However, it is most certainly an ability. Because you have the ability to like and love someone, you can just say it because it is how you feel at the end of the day.
   I would like a vacation home just like Dan and his family. I would want it some place warm where I could go during the summer. I would like it to be the same style though. Older style, but with enough modern attributes to make it a well rounded vacation home.