Mara's Revenge

“So start from the beginning.” “Well, it all started when I was lying awake in bed. I noticed that in my bedroom the air was like ice. I came went out of my bedroom to get an extra blanket when I tripped over my little sisters teddy bear that she left in the hallway. I picked it up and set it back on her bed, and that’s when I noticed that its eyes were red. As I was staring at the teddy bear I felt like I was being hypnotized or something. It was very creepy to me.” Alex started telling Mr. Jones. “Was there anybody else in the house, or were you the only one?” “I was home alone. I mean I am 17 now.” “Alright, carry on with your story,” he said. “Anyways, I ran back to my bedroom. I stayed there until my parents got back home.” “What about your little sister? Where was she at?” Mr. Jones asked me. “She was at some camp with the rest of the family in Arizona. My parents and I decided to stay home this summer.” “Okay, tell me more of the story,” says Mr. Jones. “When my parents got home I didn’t tell them about the teddy bear, but I did tell them about my room being cold. They thought it was weird that my room was so cold in the middle of summer, but my mom just put a heater in my room thinking that it would warm it up.” “Keep going.” “A few days pasted with no creepiness until one day when I decided to walk up to the gas station that was just up the street from our house. I felt like I wasn’t alone. Like I was being followed. This happened every day from that day on. And then one night while I was getting ready for bed I saw a girl peering through the window.” “Did you know this girl that you saw?” “No, I’ve never seen her before.” “Tell me what she looked like,” he said. “She looked possessed. Like by a demon or something.” “Are you sure that’s what you saw?” Mr. Jones asked. “I know what I saw okay. I’m not making it up.” Alex was getting a little upset now. “Okay, okay. Tell me more.” “I went to bed that night, and I had a dream about a murder.” Alex said. “What murder?” “I don’t know. Some guy killing his wife or something. The crazy thing is that the girl that the guy was killing was the same girl I saw in my window. I had a dream about her every night, but I saw the dream of the murder twice. The other dreams were only her and I, but she was as she appeared in my window.” “Did she say anything to you?” “Well of course. It was as if she was asking me for help with something.” “Did she tell you what her name was?” Mr. Jones asked. “She said her name was Mara Wright.” “What did she asked you to help her with?” “She asked me to help her get back at someone. I asked her who, but she would disappear when I did. I would wake up, and go on with my day until I went to bed that night.” “When did she tell you to help her get revenge on Jack?” he asked. “I don’t know. I would say about 11 days later. I asked her who Jack was and she said he was her husband. The next night I had the second dream of the murder. That’s when I realized that the guy was Jack.” “Why did Mara ask you to kill Jack?” “I guess she couldn’t do it on her own. I guess she just needed help.” “Did she tell you why Jack murdered her?” “She told me it was because she found out that he was having an affair. They got into this big argument about it until finally Jack snapped. He took some rope that he got from in the basement, and hung her with it. He made it look like she committed suicide.” “Did you tell anyone about these dreams?” “No. I kept them to myself.” “So why did you kill Jack?” “Because I wanted to help Mara. She didn’t deserve to die the way she did. Jack deserved to die, but I only thought I killed him in my dream.” There was completely silence for about 10 minutes straight. “Alex, tell me what happened.” Mr. Jones was talking in a more sorrow voice now. “Six nights ago I was in my bed sleeping. In my dream it was day time. Mara led me to his house. She stayed with me the whole time. She showed me where to break in, and where the bedroom was were Jack was taking a nap. She told me to take the pillow, and smother him until he was unconscious. Then I carried him down to the basement, tied him up in a chair with some chain that I saw lying to the side. I tied his legs to the legs of the chair with duct tape that I found in the tool drawer. Mara told me to go up to the kitchen and grab a knife, so I did. I went back to the basement and that’s when Jack woke up.” Tears started coming to Alex’s eyes as well as Mr. Jones eyes. “Then what happened?” “Mara told me to take the knife and cut off is hands. ‘Do it,’ she said. ‘He deserves this.’ I covered his mouth with duct tape, closed my eyes, and went for it. All I heard was this crunch of the bones breaking, and when I was done I started having second thoughts about what I was doing.” “But it was too late. You already cut off his hands.” “I know. I just didn’t think that I could really do it. There was blood everywhere. Then she told me to look in this old black trunk, and grab the rope that was lying in there. I looked over at Jack, and saw that his he was crying. I didn’t care. He already knew what was going to happen. I took the rope and hung it over this board that was attached to the ceiling, and then I went up to Jack. I punched him right in his face knocking him out. I unhooked the chains that held him in the chair, and tied the other end of the rope around his neck. I went back to the end of the rope that was over the board, and pulled it down as the rope tightened around his neck. I tied it around the board over and over again until he was just hanging in the air. I looked at where I cut off his hands. The wounds wouldn’t stop bleeding. I stood there for a minute. I couldn’t believe what I just did. I had to get out of there, so I ran back home. I laid in my bed, and went to sleep not even thinking that there was still blood all over me.” “So you were just doing everything that Mara told you to do?” “Yeah. I mean I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyways. Then next thing I know I was being put in the back of a police car. I guess my parents saw the blood on me when I came in the house, and called the cops.” The door swung open as the guard told them there time was up, and Alex had to go back to his cell. “Okay, thank you.” Mr. Jones said. “Alex, thank you for your time.” Alex smiled. And without saying another word to each other, they shook hands, and went their separate ways.

Halloween spirit(s)

The best way to make a Halloween costume is to take a plain white sheet and a pair of scissors. Next cut two holes where your eyes are supposed to be at. Then put the sheet over your body and you will become a ghost. Another costume is to wear a black suit with a wife beater underneath, and a black pair of suspenders. Then wear a nice pair of black dress shoes. Next smooth your hair back, and put on a black and white homburg hat on. Now you are a gangster from the 1920’s. Power Recipe Ingredients: 1 werewolf hair 1 vampire’s fang A drop of ghost’s sweat Directions: Whoever drinks this potion has power over the world, but it only lasts for 6 years. Love Recipe Ingredients: 2 mermaid scales A drop of goblin’s drool A drop of witch’s blood Directions: Whoever drinks this potion will fall deeply in love with the first person he/she sees the next day. This will last for the rest of their life. All of the Halloween costumes that I remember of are a: ninja, witch, gangster, pirate, goddess, queen, and power ranger. My favorite Halloween treats are: payday, snickers, kit kat, suckers, reese’s, peanut m&m’s, and gummy candy. My favorite Halloween was the time I…was with the rest of my family and we started going trick or treating in our neighborhood. Then my mom took all the kids to meet up with one of the family friends who had kids as well. Next we all spent all night going door to door, and neighborhood to neighborhood. When we got back home we were all too tired to do anything. But when my mom said that we were allowed to eat only 5 pieces of our candy, we all jumped up to pick what we wanted. Before we picked what candy we wanted we had to put all of our candy together in one big trash bag, so we did. When we did the trash bag was almost full to the top. After we all picked out our 5 pieces of candy we gave it to my mom to check it out before we ate it. While she was checking my candy I asked her why she had to check the candy before we ate it. She told me because people were stupid these days, and they had no common sense. I didn’t say anything else about it, I just went along with what she said and ate my candy. After we all ate our candy we went to bed. In December was when my mom threw away all of the candy that we didn’t eat. We were all so mad, because we had to run all around the place to get all of that candy. We didn’t think it was bad because it was only 2 months old, but my mom said it was 2 months too long. Never again did we get that much candy at Halloween, and even if we did my mom would probably throw it away anyways.

And the Beat Goes On

Eric Kropten- Wonderful Tonight This song reminds me of a school prom in the 70's. Everybody is dancing with their couple except for this one girl who is just sitting there on the bench waiting for some guy to ask her to dance. The guy is looking around in the middle of the dance floor looking for a girl. Finally he walks up to her and asks her to dance. She says yes, and they slow dance for the rest of the night. Dwight Yokum- Fast as You This song reminds me of a fun and wild country party. I imagine that a guy is trying to hook up with this girl that he met at the party for the first time. He also reminds me of Elvis. ACDC- You Should Be This song reminds me of an old concert. I imagine people waving their hands in the air, bobbing the heads, and screaming the words to the song. I also imagine the band on stage going crazy and sweating a lot.

Music to (Our) Ears

Teachers: 1. Guns and Roses, and BEG's. 2. Journey, and listening to music from her teen age years. 3. Kids-Matchbox 20 Spouse-Queen 4. Yes. Berry Manula, and because she got to get out of Buffalo. 5. None. Her kids control the radio. 6. Disco and rap. 7. Country music, Kesha, and Lil Wayne. Mine: 1. Church songs, destiny's child, usher, old school, and classic rock. 2. I don't have one, because there are a lot of artist and songs that I like equally. 3. Micheal Jackson reminds me of my aunt, dub-step reminds me of my brother, and church songs remind me of my mom. 4. No I don't. 5. I listen to whatever is on, because I don't control the radio. 6. Nothing. My family has always been that kind of family who will listen to almost anything. 7. Country, opera, scream o, and metal music. Also Kesha, Lady GaGa, some Katy Perry, Justin Beiber, One Direction, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Tyler (the creator), Miley Cyrus, and some Tayor Swift.

Music and Writing

5. Yes my friends listen to the same type of music that I do. I think that this means that we were meant to be friends, and that we have a lot in common. 6. Without music, the world would be...LOST!!! The world would go crazy if there was no such thing as music. Music is how people get by peacefully with their life. 7. Without music, my life would be...USELESS!!! I wouldn't even have a real life. Music is my way of expressing myself, and it's the only thing in the world that truly understands how you feel at that moment. 10. Metal, scream o, opera, and country music absolutely should not be tolerated, because they're annoying. 11. I don't think that music has the power to heal. I just think that it has the power to help you through your situations whether they're good or bad. 14. Something that music does for me that nothing else can is that it takes me to my own little world. I feel like I'm not even in the reality world anymore. I can block out everything else that is going on, and just concentrate on the music that I'm listening to.

Thank You, Harris Burdick

The House on Maple Street “It was the perfect lift off.” “We’re ready in 3-2-1, blast off!” dad said. It was the perfect lift off I thought. We were finally heading for space, and we were leaving all of our worries behind on earth. I couldn’t believe it. After 14 years, dad has finally succeeded at making the whole house shoot off into space. Mom and I never believed that he could do it. I mean he has been working on this since I was three years old. Mom would always tell him that he needed to get a real job. I guess she was wrong. I remember one night, when I was about 8 years old, my parents got into this big argument about how dad will never accomplish anything in life, and that mom wanted a divorce. They were down stairs in the living room; I was sitting on the middle of the stairs. Awhile later mom got laid off at work. Now we had nothing. Dad almost went to jail buying illegal parts to make the house rocket, and both of my grandparents died on the same day of the same thing. A heart attack. “How are you feeling son?” my mom asked me. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine mom, thanks for asking.” My mom is always worrying about me. After she found out that I was getting severely bullied at school, she has always made sure that I’m doing okay. “Well do you need any water or food?” “No I’m fine right now mom.” “Ronald Bruise you better let me know if you need anything,” she told me. “Mom, I don’t need anything, I’m fine.” “Honey, if the boy says he’s fine, then he’s fine. Give the kid a break,” my dad told her. “I just want to make sure he’s really fine.” “He’s ok, and if he needs anything, I’m sure he will tell us about it.” One thing that I hate the most is when my parents sit there and talk to each other like I’m not there sitting with them. “When will we get to the moon?” I asked my dad. “We should be there in maybe an hour or so, why? Do you need something?” “No dad I’m fine.” “Okay, just making sure.” And in goes the music. The longest I can go with listening to my parents is about 45 minutes until I put my music in. Have you ever had those kinds of parents who just talk too much, but they really don’t mean any harm to it. Well those are my parents. They don’t think you mind when they talk a lot, they think that you are okay with it. Ahhh…sweet peaceful music. BOOOM!!! I pulled the headphones out of my ears as I jump up. “What was that? What’s going on?” “Calm down son we’ve made it,” my dad says. I relax back into my seat, and sighed. Thank God, we’re finally here. “So what first?” I asked both my parents. “First I say welcome home Bruise family, welcome home,” said dad with a big smile.

6 word memoir

1. My whole life is a joke. 2. Live your life to the fullest. 3. Family is all I have left. 4.All I care about is football. 5.Caring for others every single day. 6.Don't forget that I'm still crazy. 7.All I think about is myself. 8.Turned on my family for her. 9.Strong wrestler and a good actor. 10.Tall and skinny with six kids.

Through the Window

1. Straight ahead I see a play set surrounded by grass. Behind it is a tall, brown, wooden fence. On my left is a metal fence and grass everywhere. Also a tall tree with leaves on it. Something different today is that the grass is getting taller. Sometimes a dog from the house behind us will come over to play with our dog. In 2003 I remember watching everybody playing outside, but I couldn't because I got in trouble. Something that I can't see at all, but I know it's there is the swimming pool from the house behind us. You can see the water slide, but not the pool itself. On the right you can see another metal fence with a little white dog on the other side of it barking at us all the time. 2. Straight ahead I see tall green grass blowing with the wind. On my left I see two little kids playing around with the dog. Something different today is that there are no other animals in the field. Sometimes there were deer that would be eating the grass. This is the summer time in 1952 at 2:00 in the afternoon. In the distance is a little town of 200 people. The town is surrounded by other fields of grass and crops.

Artist Profile

My artist's full name is Maurits Cornelis Escher, but he is known as M.C. Escher. He was born on June17, 1898 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. He died on March 27, 1972. His parents were George Arnold Escher and Sara Gleichman Escher. His father was a civil engineer while is mother didn't work, but stayed at home. Jan, Author and Giorgio Arnaldo are his 3 siblings. He went to a technical school and Haarlem School of Decorative Arts. He studied architecture and graphic art. His best and only friend was Bas Kist. They have been friends from the time they were kids to the time they died. In 1924 he got married to Jetta Umiker in Italy where they both decided to live. There were many major historical events that had happened in his time, but five of them were the Spanish American War, World War 1, World War 2, Utah became the 45th state in the US, and the Battle of Omdurman(England vs. Egypt). While the world had it problems, Escher had his own struggles like: translating his visions into graphic art, having only certain prints being considered valuable, and having all of his work cancelled at a museum. Some things that a lot of people didn't know about him was that he had died of cancer, and that he was left-handed like a lot of other famous artist. Most of his works were made of lithographs, woodcuts, wood encarvings, drawings, and sketches. He didn't associate with any art movements, because he said he didn't want to be a part of any movements. Escher is famous for all of his works like day and night, relativity, and drawing hands. Day and Night was made in 1938. The white birds merge with a daylight sky, while the black birds blend to create a night sky. Drawing hands was made in 1948. He actually used his own right hand as the model for both hands depicted in the picture.

Pillow/Talk

the poor homeless man laid on his restless pillow torn, sad, and depressed. It’s hard living in New York. No job, no money, and no family. I mean, I don’t think that a lot of people understand how homeless feels. Sometimes I wish that everybody was homeless a least one day in their life just so they get a glimps of what it’s like. People just assume that every homeless person isn’t really homeless, or that we are just faking to be homeless to bribe them out of their money. I just wish they were all in my shoes right now, then they would see. It’s not easy living out here with nothing, or with nobody caring about you. I have to go days with out food or water, and all the clothes I have are the ones that Ron gave me. I wish I had a second chance at life, but now I have nothing. “What are you thinking about?” Ron was back from trying to find us something to eat. “Who said I was thinking about something?” I asked him. “You’re always in a deep thought when you’re laying on that darn pillow. I’ve been here for about 10 minutes now, and you didn’t even see me sitting here. By the way, I brought us some left over bagels that George gave me from the café. I already ate mine, but you didn’t see me eat it,” he told me. “Thanks, you’re a great friend,” I said. “No problem, it’s what friends are for,” he shot back.

Your Future's So Bright...

1. One interesting idea from the presentation on Monday was all of the commercials that she showed us that the students at her school made. I thought that they were really cool. Another interesting idea was when we had to choose two of the classes that we thought we might like to take if we went to that school. 2. One question that I might of had was if those were the only classes that they had. I kind of wondered if there were more classes or maybe there were only limited classes that a student could take. 3. In one year I would like to be starting college somewhere, and getting a better education for myself and maybe living on my own. In 5 years I would like to be finishing college and having a job that I love. In 10 years I would like to be married with kids, but still doing something that I enjoy. In 50 years I would like to be riding in an little scooter for elderly people and telling my grandkids stories about when I was younger.

Circles of Life

1. How or why do you think art could be used as therapy? I think that art can be used as therapy, because when your doing art you're concentrating on what you are doing. It is relaxing and calm, and when you are finished with your art you feel like you have accomplished something good. You also don't worry about what you were upset about, and it makes you feel good inside. It makes you happy. 2. What role does art play in your own life? Art plays a role of writing and ceramics. In my creative writing class at school I write things that just come to me. I have to use my imagination to come up with the stories that I write or type. In my ceramics class at school I sculpt objects out of clay. I also have to use my imagination to figure out what i want to make. 3. If you could be any kind of artist, what would you be? Why? If I could be any kind of artist I would be a writer even though I really don't want to be a professional writer. I would be a writer out of any other kind of artist, because I feel like the only way to say what you need to say is through writing. Writing let's everybody know how you feel about things.