You've Got a Friend in Me

Through out one of his many plays, William Shakespeare weaves the theme of friendship throught his many stanzas and lines.

By reading Julius Caesar, I can honestly tell you dear old Bill Shakespeare taught me quite a lesson. Marc Antony was a loyal and genuine friend to the murdered Shakespeare. At the final battle between Antony and Brutus and Co., Marc Antony triumphs. I believe this to be a reward for his dedication to Caesar.

"That I did love thee, Caesar, O, 'tis true!" - Marc Antony

Act 3, Scene 1, Line 213

Antony professes his love for Caesar

However, many of the conspirators in the plot to kill Caesar lay dead at the play's end. I take this to be a punishment for such betrayal. While no one killed them, they died at their own hand.

"Caesar, thou art revenged

Even with the sword that killed thee."- Cassius

Cassius had his servant stab him.

The Antony of Today?

It is well known that Mark Antony, a proven public speaker, possessed a multitude of leadership skills. In a single speech delivered at Julius Caesar's funeral, he rallied a crowd of plebeians. Turning them away from new found allegiance to Brutus, he spoke with enough fire to stir a sloth.

"Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it.

It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you.

You are not wood, you are not stones, but men.

And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar,

It will inflame you; it will make you mad.

'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs,

For if you should, O, what would come of it?"

-Mark Antony

"Read the will! We'll hear it Antony."

-Fourth Plebeian

Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 150-159

This portion of Mark Antony's speech at Caesar's funeral illustrates the turning point in the attitude of the plebeians formerly revering Brutus Cassius.

Possessing the same skill, Barack Obama could easily be compared to Mark Antony. If you were one who listened to Senator Obama's , it is easy to 'hear' that the president-elect is a talented speaker. And as made clear by his election, the senator shares the same leadership skills possessed by Antony himself.

Can You Hear Me Now? How About Now?

Just like the Verizon wireless TV commercials, it is often hard for us to hear what others are trying to tell us. In Sean Covey's book, The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, Habit 5, entitled "Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood", made me evaluate my own listening skills. Hanging my head in shame, I must admit that I am often guilty of turning half an ear to those trying to talk to me.

My listening deficiencies often leave assignments as knotty as many of Einstein's formulas. As I read this chapter, I realized just how often I found myself using the poor listening skills noted by Covey. 

For example:

Spacing Out: I often find myself daydreaming in class, as many of us do. When I emerge from Dreamland, I often realize I have missed key points of a class lecture.

Pretend Listening: When I mumble "uh-huhs" and "sures" on the phone, I am pretend listening when really homework or the addictive Facebook has stolen my eye.

Advising: My sister, one I care so deeply for, often comes to me with her toils and troubles of the eighth grade. But rather than sympathize and try to remember where she is coming from, I force my own ideas and advice down her throat. I forget that she really needs me to just listen. She will figure out what is the best course for herself.

Relationship Bank Account

Recently in my English class, I began the assigned book, The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens. One chapter in particular, "The Relationship Bank Account", truly hit close to my heart.

This chapter details the importance your relationships have on your life-and how you can improve them. Sean Covey, author of The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, compares your relationship to a-you guessed it- bank account. Each kind gesture you make toward someone is equivalent to a deposit while a spiteful doing is equal to a withdrawal.

This passage really struck me as my family is trying to nurture our relationships toward each other too. My siblings, Hannah and Hunt, and I are always very angry toward one another. The story Sean Covey told about losing trust with his father alerted me that I immediately needed to put more effort into being kind and loving to two of my dearest loved ones before I too go nearly bankrupt in my relationship bank account.

November 2008

In the upcoming presidential election, I will rock the vote (Let's tell the MTV campaign I've done what they requested.) by choosing Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, pretending that I will actually be eighteen by November 2008. 

Senator Obama and I would get along very well I suspect. He and I share similar opinions on many issues.

Barack Obama and I are both on the same side of the abortion issue both of us being pro-choice. He and I both agree that abortion should not be the choice you run to, but it should be an option to women desperately in need. For once, Facebook has said it best. An icon from the popular application Pieces of Flair said, "Pro-Choice not Pro-Abortion."

In addition to this, I find him leading the way for many other pressing demands of state. He plans to end the war in Iraq for more honorable pursuits such as finding Osama bin Laden, the ringleader of terrorist attacks in America.

Also, Obama , I find, is more amiable than other hopeful, John McCain. Barack Obama seemed more cooperative in the first presidential debate. He conceded with some of the views presented by Senator McCain.

Overall, Barack Obama seems the most capable man for the job of Commander-in-Chief.

The World of Zeda Lou

Let me introduce you to Zeda Lou from Xanadu. Let me begin by describing this unusual looking girl. She has emerald green hair that she wears to her collarbone. She has salmon pink skin and violet eyes the color of a royal's gown. In the center of her head, an antenna spurts from her scalp. This antenna permits her to gauge the intentions of others. Additionally, Zeda has a distinct personality. She has a very dry sense of humor. Zeda is very sarcastic and witty, delivering jokes with a biting quickness. Having been raised by strict parents, Zeda also has impeccable manners. Finally, Zeda is very heroic. She has a stalwart loyalty to her loved ones and will battle for them with her powers, she knows who intends harm. With a sharp tongue, she will defend those dear to her. With her omniscient appendage, Zeda will save her planet from the wrongdoing of villains.