Month: November 2011

Nonsense Poems

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

Here are some of my favorite nonsense poems!

These photos are not mine.

“And, as in uffish thought he stood,
  The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
  And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
  The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
  He went galumphing back.”

-Section of “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll

Click the photo to see Johnny Depp recite “Jabberwocky” as the Mad Hatter

Raise your hand if you remember this poem from Tim Burton‘s 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland.  It sounded wonderful in Johnny Depp’s gravely, low Mad Hatter voice, his eyes burning emerald and hair of bright sienna.

“There was never a sound beside the wood but one, 
And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground. 
What was it it whispered? I knew not well myself; 
Perhaps it was something about the heat of the sun, 
Something, perhaps, about the lack of sound 
And that was why it whispered and did not speak. 
It was no dream of the gift of idle hours, 
Or easy gold at the hand of fay or elf: 
Anything more than the truth would have seemed too weak 
To the earnest love that laid the swale in rows, 
Not without feeble-pointed spikes of flowers 
(Pale orchises), and scared a bright green snake. 
The fact is the sweetest dream that labour knows. 
My long scythe whispered and left the hay to make.”

–“Mowing” by Robert Frost

I had to memorize this poem for my freshman English class in high school.  It struck me as strange and beautiful.  Though much time has passed since my recitation, the words have never left me and often when I am running in the heat or enduring some unpleasantry, they come floating back, soft and haunting.

“Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore –
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore –
Nameless here for evermore.”

-Section of “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe

I used to volunteer at a soup kitchen and I worked with a guy who could recite “The Raven” in its entirety.  If you know this poem, you will know that is remarkable.  If not, click the link above and see just how LOOONNNGGG this poem really is.  I read a series called Nightworld by Ljane Smith and one of the books in the series is called “Witchlight.”  There is a character in the story named Iliana Harman who is said to be very beautiful.  An artist creates portraits of the characters for Ms. Smith’s website and the depiction of Iliana seems like the perfect face for the mysterious Lenore.

Portrait of Iliana Harman by Jan Sovak

“Let us go then, you and I,
To the Tomb of Ligeia, bye and bye,
Let us go to the Kingdom by the Sea,
The fish and chip shop of Annabelle Lee.
Let us go to the costal laundrette run by Lenore,
Let us throw open the windows and the door,
Dispel the gloom and evict the black cat,
Make a monkey of the ape asleep upon the mat.
Let us drink a draught of Hemlock at the House of Usher,
Where the décor is like the unquiet tomb, only plusher,
Let us imbibe at the Tell Tale Heart,
Let the parrots sing and the ravens play their part.
Alas, alas, M. Valdemar has come and I am at the door,
And I hear a melancholy chorus of black birds crying, Nevermore.”

-“The Love Song of Edgar Allen Poe” by Max Scratchmann

I thought this little poem amusing if not only for referencing two of my favorite poems (“The Raven” and “Annabel Lee”) and a few excellent short stories but it is also quite clever and, to my standards, nonsensical.

Note: He does spell Annabel Lee differently than Poe.

Annabel Lee

Our Army

therightliberalLeave a comment

With the “Kill Team” in the news, I thought it would be a good idea to write about the US Armed Forces.

In case you have not heard of the “Kill Team“, specifically Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, then here you go. It is a group of US Army soldiers who killed Afghanistan citizens for fun, not just the baddies, innocent people too.

The Armed Forces takes a lot of heat for their actions. They are constantly looked at as being the evil doers in our wars. But is it their fault?

I think not.

Most of the people who join the US Military are joining to serve their country, to protect the people, and to get a pay check. They do not go to foreign countries to kill innocent people or to fight wars that are not meant to be fought.

I was recently having this same argument and the main point that I heard was that the people who are fighting must believe in what they are doing. But I for one am not convinced.

We sitting home in the US see the war as an overall thing, a (fairly) complete picture. But individual people fighting overseas are just doing what they are told to do. Should they be blamed for following orders?

It is our governments fault for putting the soldiers in these positions. The “Kill Team” should face very strict punishment; they should be put in prison for the rest of their lives. They were not following orders, they were killing for fun.

But the soldiers who face criticism for following orders, that is just not fair. The are trying to protect the lives of all the people at home. They put their lives on the line daily for American interests.

It IS wrong that they are in that position, they should not be fighting overseas for pointless reasons. The US government should be held responsible for all the killings that they ordered. They are putting these young people overseas with big guns and small amounts of supervision, they should have to face the consequences.

Boston Bound!

yrreskrap1 Comment

Around me, the chatter of many different people diverged into one dynamic buzz. Cash registers ring, papers being printed, suitcases being dragged. Noise engulfs me as I sit in a grey pleather chair in the Charlotte Douglas Airport.

 

I sit here, a venti Starbucks black iced tea (with two Sweet’N Lows and easy ice) and a packet of organic dried mangoes, and I can already tell the difference in the environment.

Although this is just an airport, I can feel the change in the vibe. I am on the East Coast. I am not in California. I can tell in the way people walk, talk, and gesticulate that the city I am in is absolutely different.

I guess I my awareness of all of these differences is especially heightened because this is my first voyage to Boston. As high school senior, I am applying to numerous colleges, many of which are situated in the East Coast. I am scared, nervous, excited, and curious of how different life in Boston will be.

What will the food be like? Will I stand out, strike people as different just as I do them?Who knows?

I’ll let you know how I like it soon:)

Occupy Wall Street 2.0

therightliberal1 Comment

I last wrote about the subject of Occupy Wall Street when  it was a relatively small protest in New York.

And then bang!

The protests started spreading throughout the country, with people even protesting overseas. It has turned in to quite the movement, with the media giving the protests quite the coverage (despite my complaints about their reasons).

But I still have some concerns. I agree that the top 1% needs to stop hiding and start being more responsible. That small population controls such a large percentage of the money in the country that they can control most of the goings on. And with things going so poorly with the economy, they need to stand up and explain why and give some solutions.

But the protesters have not been clear on what they are looking for. The go around marching with 1% signs but they have no specific demands.

There may be a good reason for this: they don’t (and most Americans don’t) know what the answers are, only that we are in trouble.

It is quite obvious that the general public is upset at the state of our economy. We need change. But what change do we need?

Here is what the protesters should be demanding:

Higher taxes on the wealthy. They are wealthy which means they have excess money. Why not tax them and help the country? Obviously giving the rich tax breaks have not worked because look where we are now.

Education. Our education system is quickly system towards the middle of the pack, and that’s a big problem. If we want to have a wealthy country that leads the world in most areas, we need to have the most and best educated young people. Let’s cut spending from other programs if we need to (defense spending) and use it wisely; on education.

Inaction. What has been done by the wealthy to help? To be honest I do not think it is the individual’s job to voluntarily help but the job of the government to enforce their help. Politicians in Washington have been so busy bickering over every small issue that they have forgotten that we need progress now.

I support Occupy Wall Street and I think that the people out there are doing a good job of showing the people’s frustration with the government.

That being said, I highly suggest they focus their protests and start suggesting solutions. By doing that, they could really make a huge step and make some large changes in our country.

North Korea, again?

frog3Leave a comment

The United States (in its infinite wisdom) has begun, yet again, another series of peace talks with North Korea, in a desperate attempt to end the hostile nations nuclear program.

Talks have been “positive” according to Stephen Bosworth (the top US negotiator on North Korean Matters). Bosworth believes, “We are moving in [the] [right] direction.” As we have seen in past attempts at negotiation, having positive talks with North Korea would not be saying much, nor does it give off the impression that the discussions are making progress. North Korea and its foreign policy nations have been tenuous at best.

How can anyone forget the unprovoked attack that occurred last year when the South Korean military, practicing an artillery exercise, fired into neutral waters and were  subsequently accused by North Korea of instigating war.

North Korea in response began bombarding Yeongpyeong, a small series of islands located approximately 12 kilometers from North Korea. This attack killed four South Koreans and injured 19.

It was after this atrocity that communication between North Korea and the US collapsed, turning the vicious attack into an international controversy, sparking talks discussing the possibility of attacks from North Korea against other nations.

Now once again ambassadors from the US and North Korea are once again sitting around a “table” discussing North Korea’s nuclear policy.

The fact that this situation is even occurring demonstrates the failure of the US to stop playing politics and finally act on the injustice that occurs. A country that carries a blatant disregard for international laws should have never had access to nuclear technology in the 1st place.

But perhaps our “ glorious” nation will surprise us by resolving the “Nuclear Crisis” and preventing further nuclear activity in North Korea.

Worst person #4-JaMarcus Russell

backinphillyLeave a comment

Ya, that’s right. I’m writing something about one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Maybe you’re thinking “Hey backinphilly, what could you possibly have to say about a quarterback that isn’t even signed?” My response is that since he’s not signed, he has plenty of time to say something stupid. And like all other diva players in the NFL, he has in fact said something stupid and has taken the cake this week as being the worst person in sports.

Russell was interviewed in Sports Illustrated this month regarding his failed NFL career and instead of blaming himself for lack of dedication or bad work ethic, he blamed his sleep apnea and his coach.

What? That’s just wrong. You’re a paid professional. You were the top pick in your draft. And you don’t have enough guts to take SOME of the blame? Maybe it’s the team. Maybe Oakland wasn’t the right fit for him. Ya? I play football, and ya the Raiders are kind of a joke. But, I’d kill to play for them simply because it’s freakin’ professional football. He was paid millions of dollars and he screwed it up. Don’t blame Tom Cable and a disease that you may not even have. Take responsibility.
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Washington D.C. 2009

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

Check out the links.  I promise they’re not standard Wiki pages!

My best friend (yes, the same one I mentioned in New York City 2008 who says I can’t cross a city street) and I have an ongoing debate.  East vs. West, New York or California?  San Diego or Washington D.C.?

Of course being from California, I always say West.  We have better beaches, better waves, we’re more relaxed, we have Hollywood and Disneyland.  He laughs at me, claiming they have better cities, better public transportation, better manners, New York City and the good colleges.

In California, we don’t really have seasons.  But when we do, we can have all four seasons in one day -even one afternoon.  So when I went to Washington D.C. with my school in October of 2009, it was quite a shock seeing the trees changing colors and watching the rain fall steadily every night and early morning.

We took the red-eye out of LAX, flying out at 10:45 p.m. on my first Virgin America flight (I highly recommend this airline.  It’s super awesome.)  The inside of the cabins look like this:

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