Sept. 30, 2013
Over the past week, we had an assignment to pick a movie that we feel best fits the hero's circle, and research it. My personal opinion on this project was at first slewed. I thought it was going to be a bunch of boring, busywork, with no real meaning. As it turns out, I really did enjoy this project after all. I was in a group with my friends, which usually means I wouldn't get any work done, but I somehow did. For our movie, we used Garyn's idea for The Nightmare Before Christmas. It's Garyn's favorite movie, so I didn't argue with her. It took me a long time to write out the paragraphs, but I eventually found parts in the movie that represented the steps on the hero's journey. I still TRON would have been a better movie to interpret, but our idea of Jack atop the mountain in the center of our poster was a good idea. Overall, I liked this assignment out of all others this year, and would hope to do more work with posters in the future. It was fun, and I have a brand new way of looking at movies and stories.
Although out poster was quite obviously the best of the class (bragging rights), I did take a liking to Henry and Jack's group poster. They chose to do their project on the character Jack Hall from The Day After Tomorrow. They had a great visual. Their poster was blue with snow powdered over it, and it looked very realistic. I liked their poster the best. They also did a great job explaining their steps. I've seen that movie, and I would have thought it wouldn't have been an easy one to interpret. I really don't think it follows the Hero's Journey outline, but they made it work. Everyone did a great job on this project, and I think all of them should be hung up on Mrs. Cawlfield's walls. This was a great project.

Sept. 10, 2013
The Abyss
On each hero's journey, soon after the point of no return, they are confronted with the abyss. The Abyss, being the lowest part of your life and the hardest part of your journey to face, is the last challenge before the transformation and, ultimately, your reward or truth you set out to find. Everyone must face their own abyss, whether that be a moment of great sadness and loss or simply the hardest part of your journey. When you reach your abyss, you will feel scared, desperate, and more alone than ever. Your goal is just over the horizon, but there is just one last task at hand. When you feel this lonesomeness, just remember that you are just one step from achievement, and you just have to give it one last push. You are so close, it would be stupid to give up now. You would regret it for the rest of your life. You may feel like you have to conquer the abyss yourself, but you don't. Everyone has been in the position you are in now, and know just how you feel. You are closer to them here than ever before. Just make sure you don't give up, for that is the most important part of your transformation. Conquer your abyss, you can do it.

Sept. 3, 2013
The Hero's Venture
What is a hero? Does it have to be someone who wears a cape and rescues people in need? It can be, but there is another type of hero that is more common. Anyone can be a hero, because a hero is simply someone who is inflicting change. Someone who realizes that something needs to be different and takes it upon themselves to do so is defined as a hero. Breaking away from the known and venturing into the unknown is a heroic act. But this is not the only thing that makes a hero. When a hero sets out to find this change, he also sets out metaphorically in Spirit. When you are about to wander into the deepest, darkest part of the forest of life, you are actually beginning your journey to the center of yourself. When you have reached the point of no return, you are truly a hero of Spirit. It is usually soon after you pass the point of no return that you reach the deepest part of yourself. You are lost in the forest of life, and all you want to do is turn back. When you are about to give up, that is when you have reached the center of yourself. This center is the medium between the inside you, and the way you portray yourself on the outside. This is where your Soul rests. You will feel more alone then ever here, but this is actually when are the closest to everyone else. You must continue to do what makes you, even if others don't like it. This is what makes you a hero.

My favorite movie of all time is Top Gun with Tom Cruise and Kellie McGillis. I love planes, and have goals in the Air Force so I feel like this movie is special to me. It has a great cast and a great director. I have seen it 48 times and twice in 3D, which I say proudly. I will never get tired of that movie. I really don't think I need to explain what it's about, I know you've seen it. I give it 5 stars, and recommend that if you haven't somehow seen this movie already, you need to watch it right now. No excuses. Watch it now.