NOTE TO SELF:

DON’T WRITE OVER YOUR OLD PAPERS. DON’T SAAAVE OVER THEM.
NOTE TO MATT THOMAS: I SAVED OVER MY OTHER BOOK REPORT. I STINK. THAT’S WHAT YOU GET WH- NAH. I WAS GOING TO WRITE MY OWN LITTLE… OOMPA LOOMPA SONG. BUT I’M TOO ASHAMED. TOOOOO ASHAMED.

Sorry. Got the other ones up. I think I can find some other things to post.

Maybe.

I can post this video. > BRAWT 2 U BI DA QUINCY FUNDASHUN

What does this have to do with your class?
Nothing. It’s enjoyable. It was 6:30 and I needed to get it filmed so I could go to the Tiger Army concert at 7:00. I think… we did I pretty terribly alright job. For just two people and a crappy little camera.
Um. Be a good rittre engrish teacher and don’t thieve anything. great job.

BOOK REPORT 3

Diantha Gourdin

Matt Thomas

English9

Dirty Blonde the diaries of Courtney Love researched and edited by Ava Stander.

I’ll assume most people don’t think highly of Courtney Love… Though it’s hard to adore a woman who is constantly tipsy and ruining things with a smeared face, and it’s hard to respect someone who looses everything the ever get. In this book I learned that she grew up with loosing standards.

Reading the diary entries, I instantly began to empathize with her. Trying to make out her chicken-scratch poems, admiring the small drawings, noticing the rips and tears, and taking in what I was reading about this young girl and combining it with this media whore. It was more of a scrap book; she added documents from her all-girl school and even from juvenile hall. Maybe that is what a professional diary is like, I wouldn’t know, I am no professional.

There were many pictures in the book, making the very thick scary looking thing seem much more tantalizing to a reader like me. The pictures came in a large variety. From old school photos to pictures from magazines, from pictures of Kurt in skirts to the first pictures of their child. She was so pretty; I can turn it into a flip book called “Courtney turns ugly.” Because you know, time has not been kind.

“There are 10-20,000 cutie people on plant Earth- I want them all to love me.” That is my favorite quote from the book, it is right under a Nirvana CD case and it’s just so sweet and naïve. I hope to achieve the same thing, but I’ll do it without the drugs and plastic surgery. She says quirky things like this that makes you forget how… well; sad this book really is, it makes me love her. I wish I could have been born when she was, where she was. I would be her friend; it seems to be that her whole problem was that no one cared. I’d care, but a lot of people say that about celebrities who had tough childhoods, so who am I to be different?

I wouldn’t recommend this book to a reader, I would recommend this book to a listener, to an empathizer, to a viewer, to someone who doesn’t care if they are unable to decode a one or six pages. This isn’t an Utahan’s book, most would be appalled by the content and wouldn’t understand nor care to try. I liked Courtney Love before reading this book, but now I feel awkward when someone mentions her because I say “I love Courtney… Love.”

ps: my blog says howdy to me. and um. only the little man I made out of pudy can say that. ];

BOOK REPORT 2

Diantha Gourdin, Robert Cormier, FADE.

matt thomas engrish nine. (godzirra!)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just disappear? To listen in on secret conversations? Would it be a good thing, or would it be bad? In the book “Fade” by Robert Cormier, we see the highs and lows of being able to disappear…

In the beginning we meet a boy named Paul. A lot of strange things happen to him. He goes to spy on a KKK meeting and gets caught. One of the clansmen chased him and his friend Pete and Paul almost gets killed by the man but somehow, he didn’t see Paul. He has some family issues, he supposedly falls in love with his Aunt Rosanne, and his uncle Adelard informs him that he is a ‘fader’ and can disappear into thin air. He is a teenage boy going to new schools, meeting new people, and wanting to be like everyone else. Fading not only takes his energy away but it makes him find out things, he really doesn’t want to know, and do things he doesn’t want to do.

It has three major characters, Paul, Susan, and Ozzie. Susan is Paul’s distant cousin, who is a writer (a lot like Paul) and she lives with this woman who had worked with Paul and published his stories.

Overall the book is very good; it keeps you hooked throughout the entire book. There were so many twists and turns, but I was still able to follow the story. The characters weren’t developed as well as I wanted them to be, but that is a small detail. I would suggest this book (and have) to open minded people; there is some questionable material in this book. (shh.)

BOOK REPORT 1.

Diantha Gourdin

Matt Thomas

English9

5 people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom

“Eddie Maintenance,” his name never old, even into his old age of 85. The children loved him and the animals he would make out of pipe-cleaners, he loved to make those children smile. Though working at Ruby Pier was not his first choice, he comes to realize it was home and it was some sort of heaven.

In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom we follow a character named Eddie into death. He learns that “heaven” is not what he had thought; it is actually a learning experience where he meets five people. He dies trying to save a young girl from a collapsing ride and every person he asks “did I save her?” and no one answers him until the very end. We also learn about Eddie’s past, particularly his birthdays. On one tragic birthday, his wife, Marguerite died in a car accident on her way to apologize for yelling at him. After that he attempts to stop having a birthday all together, “what’s to celebrate?” he’d say.

The first person was a blue man, Eddie didn’t know how or when he knew him, and it was true that they did not really know one another, but Eddie was indirectly responsible for the blue man’s death. Eddie and his brother were playing ball and when it went into the street, the blue man swerved trying not to hit Eddie causing anxiety that induced a heart attack which resulted in his death. The first lesson was that there are no random acts, all actions are intertwined together.

The second person was someone he did indeed know, and well, he found himself in the battlegrounds of Vietnam where he was once held captive. The second person was the captain that had shot his knee (but to save his life.) The captain tells Eddie that he had died that night he saved him, he was checking to make sure it was safe and he stepped on a landmine. The lesson was about sacrifice and that it’s important to let certain things go.

The third person he met in a diner, a diner where he saw his father. The third person was not his father, though, it was a woman named Ruby and she explains that she was the woman who “Ruby Pier” was named after. She shows Eddie how his dad’s friend Mickey (a drunk) almost hurts his mother and his father goes after him but when he falls to the ocean, he saves him and later catches pneumonia which kills him. Eddie hated his father and is confused by this. Ruby teaches him to let go of his anger, Eddie goes up to his father and lets it all go by saying “it’s fixed.”

The fourth person he met in heaven was the most heavenly of all, Marguerite. He found himself at weddings, of all cultures and types. Eddie was very emotional and it took a long while for him to be able to speak to his long-dead wife. After they talk and enjoy each other’s presences, she teaches him that love endures all, even death. Eddie absolutely does not want to leave, he has missed her so much but in the blink of an eye, it was all gone.

It was all white, brilliant white. All he could hear was this thrashing sound that haunted him. He soon realized it was actually children playing. He then meets his fifth and final person. A young Asian girl named Tala, she tells him that he killed her in a fire during the war and Eddie breaks down, knowing that someone was in there. Tala’s skin turned to scars and burns, and she told Eddie “wash me” and she showed him how to scrape off the ash. Eddie asks Tala about the little girl, did he save her?

This book was absolutely incredible, I’d hate to sound cheesy and cliché here but here I go: I laughed, I cried, and I wore a purple gorilla suit. But in all seriousness, Mitch Albom is an incredible author and I would recommend just about any of his books, and especially this one. Eddie hated teenagers and they hated him… I don’t. I listened to the book on tape and at first I was afraid it would be really cheesy when I noticed it had sound effects but they really pull at your heart strings, especially towards the end. Going on a 10 hour trip? Buy The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. It’ll be worth it.

A boring Hero

Diantha Gourdin
Matt Thomas English9

This is an epic tale of a man who has the ability to fly. This man James, Loved his powers but nobody else did. His parents hated him and never gave him any attention. He was very depressed and every body thought he was a freak. One day he met Tim who could do what he did, he was happy. But the this guy was very mean to James because he wanted the be the only one who could fly.

So Tim Challenged James to a race around the world and whoever won could keep the power of flying.

James thought it was a stupid idea but Tim was a horrible person and kidnapped his parents. He forced James to do the race and if he didn’t accept Tim would kill James’s parents so he had to accept the challenge.

James sat in his house looking out the window, wishing he was someone else. He wished he didn’t have the ability to fly, none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for his damn gift. “Pfft, gift, more like curse.” he thought to himself. He let out a deep sigh and looked around angrily, how was he going to beat Tim? He was ridiculed for being able to fly so he hardly ever flew and now he had to fly faster than Tim. He could not do this alone, but who would be willing to help him?

James looked to the internet to find someone, anyone who could help him train. He found a man by the name of Tyrus, he was an old man but he has been flying since he was 5 years old. James wrote him this:
“hello, my name is James. I am cursed with the ability to fly and I have been challenged to a race around the world. I need your help, I need training because he has stolen my family and I need to prove to everyone that I’m not useless. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you -James.”

James waited two weeks for a reply, his hopes were not very high. One night, he decided to check right before he went to bed, he just felt like it was calling to him. His inbox had 50 emails, the majority of them spam but right at the top of the page he read “Re: Flying.” His heart jumped and he opened the email.

“Hello, James. Flying is no curse, you just don’t know how to use it. I can help you harness your power and you’ll be ready in a matter of weeks. The training will be difficult and potentially dangerous, but I believe you can do it. Training will start Monday at 5 am. Meet me at Ginger’s Deli (A good meal is always a wonderful way to begin training.)

~Tyrus.”
It was Saturday, he would begin training in a day! He was so excited it was hard for him to sleep that night.

When he woke up, he wasn’t sure what he should do. He decided to get some things together and he spent the rest of his day day dreaming about kicking Tim’s ass in the race around the world. His dreams were cut short when his phone started ringing. The caller was none other than Tim. He called to tell him the date of the race and was trying to intimidate James, he went on about how amazing he was and how James parents were doing… James wanted nothing more than to shove Tim’s words down his throat. James decided just to hang up on his.

Monday rolled around and James woke up late, when he looked at his clock and it read 6:30 am he freaked. He hurried to put on his clothes and grab his things. He ran for the Deli, he didn’t want to risk flying… He wasn’t to good at it yet. He walked in, trying to look nonchalant. He saw Tyrus and broke into a cold sweat, he was very nervous.
“Well, James. You’re quite late. Two hours to be exact.” Tyrus didn’t sound too angry, he didn’t look it, either. He was a small man with silver hair and soft facial features, he looked like a nice old man who would give you candy every time you saw him; James didn’t expect any candy from him, though. “Sorry I am so late, my alarm clock didn’t go off. This won’t happen again, I promise.” Tyrus smiled and nodded.

“It better not. I already ordered you some food, you should eat fast so we can get to work.” He pushed the plate towards James and James immediately started eating.

Once he was finished they headed out towards the fields, Tyrus asked him about the situation and James tried to explain it to him the best he could. Tyrus was a little worried about the date of the race, it was only three weeks away. They were going to have to work very hard.

The weeks were painful and difficult but James got through it. Within the first week he got faster by 20 miles per hour and he was able to breath at higher altitudes thanks to Tyrus’ breathing exercises.

UNFINISHED BUT HEY. I’LL PUBLISH IT ANYWAY. FOR MAYBE… LIKE… A LITTLE CREDIT FOR IT.
WINKY FACE, ANGRY FACE, SMILEY FACE, ANGEL FACE, EMBARRASSED FACE, WINKY FACE, ANGRY FACE, ANGRY FACE, ANGEL FACE, SMILEY FACEE.

lock and load logic.

The average school/work week is 5 days. And right now East Hollywood High is considering a four day week with longer days. I am overjoyed this idea! To me it means longer weekends and no more smelly hour long bus rides home. Yes classes would be longer, but we’re an artistic school and we need that extra time.

“When does this class get out?!” it’s heard quite often, but I can think of numerous times when I needed much more time to work, or I was enjoying the class. I would really like having longer periods, I know a lot of my friends who would like it as well. More time to get knowledge into our brains, through soaking, shoving, squeezing, and asking nicely.If we had 90 minutes each class, I’d have more time to work on this essay!

Getting out later has it’s ups and it’s downs, for some maybe it has more downs. But for me personally, it’s mostly ups. I have to take two packed buses and then the trax and then tread a few blocks and get home about an hour and a half after school gets out (And in the winter it’s usually it’s dark out and freezing.) I don’t have a car, I’m a freshmen. But if we got out at 4:30 my mom would be able to pick me up and I’d be home in 15 minutes.

We’re always looking forward to the three day weekend, always. Who doesn’t want to make it that way every week? Get some rest before a busy Friday night, do your homework before a fun weekend, or go shadow at some other school see how boring public schools can be. Yeah, friends from other schools couldn’t really do anything though most schools get out around 2:30 anyway… But a three day weekend is always a good idea.

Four days a week- 8:30 to 4:30, sounds like an amazing idea. It makes our school that much more original. (not that we need it, we’re so awesome anyway.) I honestly believe it will enhance attendance and participation. We’ll think we’re getting a sweet deal when it’s still the same education it’s just structured differently. Brilliant.

Side note: Hard to concentrate when every five minutes someone runs by rolling a garbage can. (being extremely loud!)

Heroic Sandwich

Diantha Gourdin
Matt Thomas English9
1-10-2008

And there he stood, though he was not dressed in super hero apparel and had no signs of super powers, a hero stood before me. A guitar in his hands and a bright smile on his face, I knew that the man that stood before me was an idol. Heroes come in a variety, everyone knows someone who is a hero in one way or another… Just most of us do not take the time to notice them for their greatness. Even the meek and the timid can be the most heroic of them all, you just have to look closely.

he·ro

–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.

1.	a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

2.	a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.

3.	the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.

4.	Classical Mythology. a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity. b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability. c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

5.	the bread or roll used in making a hero sandwich.

I think being a hero doesn’t necessarily mean perfect, god-like, or even virtuous. Courage, self-esteem, individuality, and a cause makes a hero. They are all things that you don’t see much anymore, with the media always putting the average person down, peer-pressure, and constant need to be accepted people just don’t care or even worse, care too much.

To be a hero it’s apparent that you need courage, that doesn’t mean they have no fears, not at all. Courage is the will to fight those fears, being able to stand up for what is right. Everyone has at least a small amount of courage, but some people just don’t know how to use it. A person needs a large amount of courage to be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep the hero from their cause.

A cause is everything. If you have nothing to live for, nothing that keeps you going… What’s the point? The people with no cause live a sad pathetic life, if they continue to live at all. A cause isn’t necessarily something like The Fight Against Breast Cancer though it very well could be; a cause is a goal, something a person focuses on. A cause could be just getting through the day, it could be the fight to stand out.

Everyone is unique, no one is just like anyone else. But there are people who just blend in, and there are those people who stand out. There are five different kind of people. The outcast, the popular, the original, the trend-follower, and the trend-setter. I believe people are just meant to be a certain way, you can’t just choose. There is a reason certain people stand out and a reason why others just fall into the background. Heroes are found in all different types of people.

A hero needs to believe in his/herself. You can only do what you believe your capable of.  If you think you’re worthless and that you can’t do anything-you aren’t going to get very far. A person who thinks highly of themselves is a person who has the ability to reach the stars.

Odysseus is one of the most common examples of a (non-super) heroes. He was quite the hero in the Greek tale The Odyssey. He didn’t go by what was right and what was wrong, but by what was appropriate. That is how the Greek people did, they had multiple gods that when in their presence, that person would receive that god’s mood. So it wasn’t a matter of ‘good guy or bad guy’ it was a matter of characteristics. He had all the qualities of a hero; he was extremely brave, he believed in himself, he was like no other, and he wanted nothing more than to get home to his wife and son. Though he takes part on some not-so-heroic things, he did it because of godly presences.

There is a man, who is so great and so unbelievable that he could only be described as heroic. That man’s name is non-other than Joseph Trohman. What makes him so heroic? Maybe it’s his kind heart, the heart that doesn’t understand the term ‘hatred’. It could be his endless talents, his wit, his understanding, or it could be his charming good looks and wavy hair. To me I think all of his traits make him a hero. I know he’s saved my life numerous times, and I also know he’s made thousands of people’s lives so much better just by smiling. There he stands, with a guitar in his hands and a smile on his face; that man in a hero, cape or not.

RELIGION… The Musical?

*I am just noticing some of the photos did not show up. I’ll have to re-upload thing. :@

In class we were looking at some photos from various indie concerts and it made me want to show off my Musical photography. If Music was indeed a religion, my dear friend Felicia Anderton would for sure be a motivational speaker. Me and Brighton go to almost every one of hers, so obviously I have many photos of her and her bands.

Those were all pictures from WMCA. It’s kind of like School of Rock but the students aren’t as stuck up and are much better performers… :]
I love those kids, they have so much energy. Me and Brighton create the dance crowd though, we look like idiots… But awesome idiots.

These next ones are various other bands and performances.

The above includes: The Neon Trees, Kid Theodore, Fall Out Boy, The Starting Line, Illegal Beagle, whatever Brighton’s band was called, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACK HEARTS!, … And um. I think that’s it? Whatever.

So here are some pictures of people reacting to music (dancing, rocking out, you know.) friends, family, peers, people in general.

Now, I have many many more pictures. But for someone with dial up or a slow connection, this is going to be hell to load. So I’m just going to leave it at that. B)

Catchy title in the Rye

Diantha Gourdin
December, 14, 2007
Matt Thomas English9 

>The Catcher in the Rye is an incredible book that should be required reading. It’s a book many schools and libraries have banned, why? Overreacting and trying to hide under a rock in attempt to get away from the ‘bad things.’ This book, though, is not a bad thing. Instead of looking at the negatives about this book, lets look at the positives.
>Holden Caulfield has morals, he knows when he’s doing something that’s wrong and he tries not to do those things. He is a considerate kid; he is courteous to everyone, even when he doesn’t like them very much. He helped some nuns he met on the train pay for their food, he wanted to pay their entire bill but they would not let him. These things he does are very admirable. Others would say he is a bad influence because of small things he does like smoking and drinking, but back then a lot of young people did that. Kids aren’t going to start doing drugs because they read about Holden doing them. He is a good guy who cares about others, especially his family.
>He is quite the family man, he is always talking about how much he loves his family, he goes on and on about his little sister. He shares tales of his brother Aly, and the good times they’ve had. You don’t see very many teenagers praising their family like Holden does; it’s a good trait to instill in the kids who read this book. The people who want this book beg to differ, claiming he doesn’t care that much about his family or authority in general because he got kicked out of school. He learns from his mistakes, he tries to hide it from his parents because he doesn’t want to disappoint them! He is a good kid who tries very hard.
> Holden tries and tries again, a very persistent boy. He is someone who stands up for what he believes in and has strong opinions. If anything he is a strong person to be looked up to. He’s not going to change who he is just to fit in. When he accidentally bought a prostitute he didn’t want to use her but promised he’d pay her anyway. When she asked for ten dollars he refused because he was told he it was only five dollars. The next morning they went to his room and demanded the money, he still insisted it was only five.   You may hear that he just doesn’t follow rules and that he is disrespectful, and that simply is not true. If he disrespects someone, he feels bad about it and tries to fix it. He is not a bad person, nor is he ignorant. He is an intellegent boy who is just confused and frustrated with how his life is going.
>The Catcher in the Rye is an amazing story with unique characters; it is a classic and everyone should have a chance to read it. You may not like his language and his attitude every once in a while, but that shouldn’t get in the way of the incredible story. Those who go without reading this book are foolish and I’m sorry they can’t get over a few small bad details and ignore the good factors. I’m very fortunate to be going to a school that allows me the right to read Catcher in the Rye.

CRAZY EXCITING LIFE revised!

Diantha Gourdin

Matt Thomas

Language Arts 9

December 7

All of my friends are jerks, not necessarily, complete jerks, but to some degree. I’m included, but they are much worse than me. that probably sounds really narcissistic but it’s true! First there is Andi who always has to be right. It gets damn annoying sometimes. She’s not only always right, but she always has to win at everything! Maybe it’s just the way she was brought up but she should learn how to just be average. She’s that kind of person that can get under your skin, she knows what really gets you. It’s probably because she’s a writer and she analyzes every god damn thing., I can’t count how many times she’s brought me down… She’s not always really mean, because she has to be perfect she won’t accept doing something wrong! She fixes the problem, but it still sucks a whole lot when she’s mad at you.
Then there is Frankie, what a daughter? of a bitch she is. Sometimes I don’t know why I’m friends with her. She can get you worse than Andi and she doesn’t try to take it back! Everywhere we go she has to make things difficult and everything we do is a terrific hassle to her. I don’t have a say in things when I’m with her. She normally has good ideas and we have a lot of fun together, but god damn it, I wish I could choose what we do for once. One time she almost got us thrown in jail because what she wanted to do was illegal. It’s probably my fault just as much as it was hers but it wouldn’t have happened if I got to make the decision.
My friend Joe, he’s not that big of a jerk. He’s pretty nice and does what his mom tells him, but because he’s so nice he’ll lie to you, and not just white lies either. One time he told me that our friend Peter wasn’t really sick because he didn’t want me to get all upset. I was upset when I found out he lied though. He’s a pretty sexy bastard. it gets on my nerves sometimes. he is always making sex jokes especially when it’s unnecessary. He’s never going to grow up, I swear to god. He’ll be 14 years old until he’s 41! It could be looked at in a good way, but it’s not a good thing.
Steve is a pretty big jerk as well but I think I made him that way, though. I act out and pretend to be bad and it probably rubbed off on him. I remember when I met him he was Mr.Perfect-got good grades, was nice to everyone, and was fun to be around. Now he’s a smart-alec with a bad attitude most of the time. He’s a slob too. I’m not the neatest person but god, is he messy! I don’t see him very often anymore, which is good because he sure can get tiresome. Maybe he’s different now, it’s hard to say, it would just prove my point that I’m a bad influence, though. So lets say he’s still a sarcastic ass.
Everyone has something that makes them a jerk, no one is perfect; I just hate when people are too big of jerks. I try to avoid those types of people, but there are those childhood friends that you’re stuck with even when they’re filthy liars, cheats, and bitches… sometimes you become good friends with someone who turns out to really blow. I’m a pretty big jerk myself and there are a lot of good about my friends. I should stop complaining.