Janie

           Janie oh Janie who is this Janie. Janie is the main character from Zora Neal Hurston's book Their Eyes Were Watching God. Janie in this story is a beautiful, youthful looking, strong willed woman determined to find true love. Sometimes this idea of true love seems far fetched and unreal. The idea of true love was first introduced when Janie's Grandmother wanted her to marry a man named Logan Killicks. This however wasn't the true love she searched for because Logan always had her working and 'stopped speaking in rhymes' to her. Janie is determined to find true love even to the brink of foolishness. She runs of with a stranger known as Jody Starks. This seemed to be the move, until again, another man 'stopped speaking in rhymes' to her. This means that their relationship was stiff in the sense that there was no real love or affection.  Jody really controlled Janie and doesn't give her freedom. It isn't until Jody's deathbed where Janie actually expresses herself. Janie doesn't search for these empty relationships, but rather something deeper, something not promised in an arranged marriage, or some random guy you run with. This is where Janie finds Tea Cake, a man that she genuinely liked because he actually cared about her and talked and played and taught her checkers, something that other man wouldn't do. This is the first example of real true love in the story that Janie finds after mistreatment from former spouses. The struggle of love seems to be Janie's most troubling thing throughout the story.

Thankful-Grateful

       I've spent plenty time so far with my 6th period English family. And I'm thankful to be with them. I'm most thankful to my surrounding group friends. That being my man Dan, Sir Glascott, Jacob, and former group member, Mr. Speth. Unfortunately he left to go to another area in the class. I'm thankful for these fellows because I talk to them most in the class, they are funny people, and they're just great people.

      First there is Dan Cleary. I met him freshman year where we had multiple classes together. I also usually see him on the train on the way to school. He also helps a lot in group work in the class.
      Next is Sir Glascott. Also met during freshman year. Always keeping me laughing in class. Was also playing on the football team with him this year which was cool.
     Jacob- I have a few classes with him this year and he's pretty cool. Usually talk to him about random stuff, nice converser.
       Owen- Mentioned because I talk to him a bit to. Smart kid who is helpful and cool to be around.

       Thats who I am most thankful for in the class. Other honorable mentions are Davonte and Emma. Thankful for Davonte because I talk to him outside class, although we're pretty far in class, and although he may be shy, he's a nice guy(I Rhymed, SHY-GUY). And Emma because she is very helpful for me in class. I hate analyzing text and passages, but Emma makes it seem effortless, and makes it easy to understand, for which I'm grateful.

       Almost forgot about Mr. McCarthy, Thanks for the wonderful music selections in class and for the class overall. Although I was quite disappointed when Otis Redding-Sittin on the Dock of the Bay was cut short the other day.

Ernest Hemingway

       Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest well known author to date. Hemingway was and is especially popular because of his writing style. One thing that I like about Hemingway is his use of personal experiences in his writing. I also liked that his writing had a deeper meaning in it.

       Before knowing more biographical information on Hemingway, I didn't see any connection to him. I just saw a story. But by learning about Hemingway I learned that personal experiences were a key factor in his writing. An example of this is in his story The Old Man and the Bridge. This story was written by Hemingway. This story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, and its no surprise that Hemingway was a reporting on the Spanish Civil War. I find it amazing that one could write about experiences that you had.

       I also like that Hemingway's writing has a deeper meaning because I enjoy something that has meaning. (Not About that shallow life). I will say that the first time reading his stories, i didn't see anything until doing an analysis and hearing his iceberg theory. The iceberg theory basically says that most of something is underneath the surface, like an iceberg out at sea. You can only see the top but you know there is more ice underneath the ocean. Thats what I like and learned from Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway- Six Word Stories Shorts

         Ernest Hemingway was an American author who dubbed in realism and writing about things as they were. He also liked writing that would make the reader think, like his six word story, "For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn" What do you think about? I will list six, 6 word stories of my own.

Text: Aright honey, I'm on my…

For Sale: Cadillac Escalade, frame only.

Police Academy: Cleaning Crew is needed.

For Adventurist, Journalist in Syria Needed

Worst Nightmare: Your Jordan's Burning. Pinch

The Chicken crossed the road. BAM!!!

John Proctor, Hero...or Naw?

          John Proctor, a character from the play, The Crucible is one I would consider a hero. John did a few…ummm…questionable things in the play, but his moral seems to be ok in the end.
          For those who don't know, the Crucible is a play based on the Salem witch hunts of 1692 and the hanging and deaths of those suspected of witchcraft in the puritan community. John Proctor was one who was suspected of witchcraft for several reasons. He had an unbaptized son, didn't regularly attend church, and didn't know all ten commandments (Specifically the one about adultery). This is ultimately ironic because John Proctor had an affair with a girl named Abigail, although he is married.
          You might be thinking, then who is he a hero if he did all these terrible things. What I like of John is that he acknowledged that he did wrong and the reason that he didn't regularly attend church is because he didn't like Parris, which is understandable. What I also liked about John is that when he was asked to confess. They judge/high powers, wanted John to LIE and accuse Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft. John however didn't do this and upheld his moral. even though he did some other wrong doings. John acknowledged those mistakes and was truthful in the end.

There Goes the Neighborhood

       The Native Americans, when settlers first came to the Americas, must have felt that these new people were friendly. Little did the natives know, a darker path would come from allowing the new settlers to stay in the Americas.
       The new people, who came from Europe were in search for new lands and territory. However the Americas were already inhabited by people. The Native Americans cherished the land as if it were a person. The native people even gave the strangers gift of hospitality. The Europeans though, were greedy and took what was land of the Natives. As you could imagine this angered he Natives since they are taking their land after they had even given away gifts. Even then, European settlers killed many Native Americans through disease and weapons, and took others as slaves, even though the Natives owned the land really for ever.
        To put this in perspective, imagine this. You live in your house and you invite someone over. You give them food, drinks and allow them to stay and use your belongings. That person after a while, eventually takes advantage of that hospitality and kicks you out the house. That person takes the rest of the family and makes them do all the cooking and cleaning while he assumes that the house is his. This is what is happening to the Natives during that time. This demolished the trust the Native people have for outsiders and causes war and conflict between natives and settlers ever since.

About Me

         My full name is Lansing Maximillian Champion(That grabs attention), but you can call me Lance. I’m a 15 years old and I was born and raised in the south side of Chicago. Some hobbies of mine are playing the guitar, bowling(When I have the chance), and basketball when I'm at home. I also one shoes, the Jordan retro line in particular. I can sit and look at them all day 

      One of my life goals and dreams is to become an automotive engineer. Literally since I was three years old, I’ve been interested in cars, their function and how they look. Some might think that's crazy, but Mark Twain says it best “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”-Mark Twain, and I got started at three.  I could probably tell you the make and model of any car you see on the road. Since then I've always dreamt of building cars or repairing them. I even hope to own my own mechanic repair shop. 

       My family is fairly large. I have three brothers and four sisters, two of which I currently live with.  Most of my siblings are grown or older than me, so they live else where. However I live with my baby sister Eden and younger brother Aaron. I also live with both my mom, Kamaca, and dad, Martin. Spending time together as a family is important to me. One thing my family does together is travel. I enjoy this because I have a chance to see other cultures and how they differ from my surroundings. I've travelled with my family through most of the United States and hope to someday explore the rest of the world. 
        That about sums me up. I'm a fun loving, car enthusiast, that love to travel and play games. I hope you enjoy the blog.