I'm almost done with the third chapter of my book, and it's already really good. I was finally introduced to the main character: Hester Prynne. She's described as incredibly beautiful and feminine, unlike many of the other women in the town. She is also really brave because when she is introduced she is put on a platform for everyone else to see her. She's committed adultery, but won't give away the name of the man she had a baby with. So, instead of being sentenced to death, she is just supposed to stand on the platform for several hours and wear a scarlet letter for the rest of her life. She's also holding the baby with her on the platform and she has her scarlet letter sewn to her top.
She is actually introduced over the course of several pages, but it just says how much of a disgrace to the church she is. I already like her. She's so proud and unashamed of herself and she's really cool ^_^
Another weird guy has kinda come into the story too. He's seen with an Indian on the edge of town wearing like half "savage", half "civilized" clothes. So, he's really strange so far, and him and Hester Prynne seem to know each other, but they haven't actually talked to each other since Hester's still on the platform...yeah, i'm gonna go read some more and figure out how they know each other :P
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
copyright 1850
For my next fiction book, I'm gonna go ahead and read a classic...although it most likely won't be the only classic i read this semester; i was really hoping to finish the Grapes of Wrath, which i started this summer...
My mom recommended this book to me. She read it a while ago, but still remembers it was one of her favorite books. I'm expecting a lot out of it :) Hopefully, I won't be let down.
So, I've barely even started this book, but I really needed a blog in, but this is probably late anyways, but I've been working all day -.-
I've read the first chapter and a bit of the second one, but I've already noticed one thing; this story is REALLY descriptive...which is perfect since I'm writing (or done writing) my descriptive essay for class...but anyways :) Hawthorne describes a lot, and most of the first page of the story is describing the setting of the first chapter. I haven't been introduced to any characters yet, but, if Hawthorne's descriptions are all throughout the book, then the characters should be really interesting.
So far The Scarlet Letter is really good...but that is only the first chapter. I'm going to definitely be reading more tomorrow, but for now I'm going to print my descriptive essay out and then go to sleep :P
copyright 1850
For my next fiction book, I'm gonna go ahead and read a classic...although it most likely won't be the only classic i read this semester; i was really hoping to finish the Grapes of Wrath, which i started this summer...
My mom recommended this book to me. She read it a while ago, but still remembers it was one of her favorite books. I'm expecting a lot out of it :) Hopefully, I won't be let down.
So, I've barely even started this book, but I really needed a blog in, but this is probably late anyways, but I've been working all day -.-
I've read the first chapter and a bit of the second one, but I've already noticed one thing; this story is REALLY descriptive...which is perfect since I'm writing (or done writing) my descriptive essay for class...but anyways :) Hawthorne describes a lot, and most of the first page of the story is describing the setting of the first chapter. I haven't been introduced to any characters yet, but, if Hawthorne's descriptions are all throughout the book, then the characters should be really interesting.
So far The Scarlet Letter is really good...but that is only the first chapter. I'm going to definitely be reading more tomorrow, but for now I'm going to print my descriptive essay out and then go to sleep :P
Thursday, September 18, 2008
death be not proud finished :)
I've finished the book, and, yes, it did make me cry.
Death Be Not Proud gets repetitive one more time before Johnny dies. Although new, exciting things happen before he dies. As I have mentioned before, Johnny Gunther is extremely determined. Whatever he sets out to accomplish, he does. So, when he decides that he wants to graduate from high school, he does just this. By the time he seems to be recovering for good, Johnny decides 14 months from school is long enough, but since he can't return to school, he learns all the material on his own.
He, of course, passes all the exams necessary to graduate, and even manages to graduate with his class, walking on stage to get his diploma with everyone else. This is a really exciting thing for his parents to watch because he had worked so hard to get there.
Anyways :) Johnny graduates, but then his tumor gets even worse...again. But this time it doesn't seem like he has any hope, even after yet another operation and more treatments. Johnny's dad, the narrator of the story, goes on for a bit about how his wife, Frances, is taking a larger role in Johnny's life because he (Johnny's dad) reminds Johnny too much of the "outside world" (since he's, yet again, stuck in the hospital). And it does seem as if Johnny's dad has been kind of detached throughout most of the story. He was more of an observer of what was happening, rather than him actually being there and experiencing it...:)
At the end, after Johnny dies being "brave and happy up until his last seconds of life" his parents recieve hundreds of sympathy letters from people they haven't spoken to in years, or have never spoken to at all. This kinda bugged me that people need such an excuse to communicate with people, but I digress.
Johnny's story was definitely inspiring as was its purpose. And it made me cry, so now I should read a happy ficion book :P
Death Be Not Proud gets repetitive one more time before Johnny dies. Although new, exciting things happen before he dies. As I have mentioned before, Johnny Gunther is extremely determined. Whatever he sets out to accomplish, he does. So, when he decides that he wants to graduate from high school, he does just this. By the time he seems to be recovering for good, Johnny decides 14 months from school is long enough, but since he can't return to school, he learns all the material on his own.
He, of course, passes all the exams necessary to graduate, and even manages to graduate with his class, walking on stage to get his diploma with everyone else. This is a really exciting thing for his parents to watch because he had worked so hard to get there.
Anyways :) Johnny graduates, but then his tumor gets even worse...again. But this time it doesn't seem like he has any hope, even after yet another operation and more treatments. Johnny's dad, the narrator of the story, goes on for a bit about how his wife, Frances, is taking a larger role in Johnny's life because he (Johnny's dad) reminds Johnny too much of the "outside world" (since he's, yet again, stuck in the hospital). And it does seem as if Johnny's dad has been kind of detached throughout most of the story. He was more of an observer of what was happening, rather than him actually being there and experiencing it...:)
At the end, after Johnny dies being "brave and happy up until his last seconds of life" his parents recieve hundreds of sympathy letters from people they haven't spoken to in years, or have never spoken to at all. This kinda bugged me that people need such an excuse to communicate with people, but I digress.
Johnny's story was definitely inspiring as was its purpose. And it made me cry, so now I should read a happy ficion book :P
Death Be Not Proud...3
I've read a bit more of my book and noticed that it's really repetitive. Johnny keeps getting better, but then sick again, and his parents get really upset, but Johnny never really does. It's kind of boring at this point.
Johnny's parents have contacted a bunch of doctors and tried a bunch of new techniques to get rid of Johnny's brain tumor. They even let this one doctor put him on a really weird diet where he wasn't allowed to eat any meats or anything that had sugar or salt in it. This diet didn't really make Johnny miserable, but he did joke for "real" food for awhile. That is, until his tumor actually starts getting smaller as a result of the restricting diet.
However, this doesn't last long. Soon his tumor has gotten worse and he has to have yet another surgery. And another miracle happens, of course. The doctors have managed to get rid of all the supposedly deathly tumor. But, it comes back. :( So, it must be really hard for them to keep getting their hopes crushed; every time he seems to get better, the tumor gets worse.
So, the book's a bit repetitive, but, since it is a true story I feel kinda bad for saying how boring it is because the same things keep happening....but yeah, I'll keep reading. Maybe something new will happen! :)
Johnny's parents have contacted a bunch of doctors and tried a bunch of new techniques to get rid of Johnny's brain tumor. They even let this one doctor put him on a really weird diet where he wasn't allowed to eat any meats or anything that had sugar or salt in it. This diet didn't really make Johnny miserable, but he did joke for "real" food for awhile. That is, until his tumor actually starts getting smaller as a result of the restricting diet.
However, this doesn't last long. Soon his tumor has gotten worse and he has to have yet another surgery. And another miracle happens, of course. The doctors have managed to get rid of all the supposedly deathly tumor. But, it comes back. :( So, it must be really hard for them to keep getting their hopes crushed; every time he seems to get better, the tumor gets worse.
So, the book's a bit repetitive, but, since it is a true story I feel kinda bad for saying how boring it is because the same things keep happening....but yeah, I'll keep reading. Maybe something new will happen! :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Death Be Not Proud...two...
I've read about thirty more pages from my book, but a lot has happened already. Finally, Johnny's parents and doctors have told him what's really wrong with him. At 40 or so pages in, it was about time. He took the information surprisingly well though. I know that if I found out that I had a brain tumor, I would be freaking out, but Johnny is very calm about it, and just asks how long he has to live.
I found it kind of strange that he took it so well. The father describes his reaction as completely unafraid, but I find that hard to believe. Even if Johnny wasn't outwardly afraid for his life, he must have been really scared on the inside. He is only a child.
So, other than Johnny finding out what's wrong, he also goes through an operation and many other precedures. He cooperates extremely well with the doctors, and doesn't complain at all. Johnny is incredibly brave through everything. He does, however, continuously question his doctors and nurses to find out everything they are doing to him, and all the medicine they are giving him. Things start to look up for him after a couple x-ray treatments.
Then, things turn bad again. There are complications with the tumor, and it turns out that Johnny is going to die. Big surprise there seeing as it says this on the back cover of the book...But, anyways, Johnny takes this just fine (another big surprise). He is only worried that he won't have enough time to do everything that he wants to before he dies. Johnny is, i guess, supposed to be someone other people can look up to who are going through difficult situations...like brain tumors.
I'm gonna go read some more, now that I'm caught up on my blogs...
I found it kind of strange that he took it so well. The father describes his reaction as completely unafraid, but I find that hard to believe. Even if Johnny wasn't outwardly afraid for his life, he must have been really scared on the inside. He is only a child.
So, other than Johnny finding out what's wrong, he also goes through an operation and many other precedures. He cooperates extremely well with the doctors, and doesn't complain at all. Johnny is incredibly brave through everything. He does, however, continuously question his doctors and nurses to find out everything they are doing to him, and all the medicine they are giving him. Things start to look up for him after a couple x-ray treatments.
Then, things turn bad again. There are complications with the tumor, and it turns out that Johnny is going to die. Big surprise there seeing as it says this on the back cover of the book...But, anyways, Johnny takes this just fine (another big surprise). He is only worried that he won't have enough time to do everything that he wants to before he dies. Johnny is, i guess, supposed to be someone other people can look up to who are going through difficult situations...like brain tumors.
I'm gonna go read some more, now that I'm caught up on my blogs...
DEATH BE NOT PROUD
Death Be Not Proud
A Memoir
by: John Gunther
©1965
So, I needed a non-fiction book, so just picked this one up at the thrift store for like a dollar. I read the back and it sounded kind of interesting, or at least interesting enough that I would be able to actually pay attention to what I was reading. Besides, it's only 160 pages, so I'll finish it quickly, so that I can read another fiction book :)
Death Be Not Proud is a memoir about a boy who dies from cancer. He's seventeen and has a brain tumor. It's really sad too, especially since the book is written from his dad's point of view. When I started reading it I assumed the dad would be all blaming on the doctors for not catching his cancer sooner, or not being able to help his son, but the dad talked about the doctors with a lot of respect.
One thing that really bugs me though is that I've already read 33 pages and the boy, Johnny, still doesn't know he has cancer. I mean, he's seventeen, so he should be able to handle what's happening to him. He has a right to know. It was also awhile before they told his mom what was going on, but this did happen in the '40s...
Anyways, the book has turned out a lot better than I expected, so I'm gonna go read some more, so that I can post another blog later :)
A Memoir
by: John Gunther
©1965
So, I needed a non-fiction book, so just picked this one up at the thrift store for like a dollar. I read the back and it sounded kind of interesting, or at least interesting enough that I would be able to actually pay attention to what I was reading. Besides, it's only 160 pages, so I'll finish it quickly, so that I can read another fiction book :)
Death Be Not Proud is a memoir about a boy who dies from cancer. He's seventeen and has a brain tumor. It's really sad too, especially since the book is written from his dad's point of view. When I started reading it I assumed the dad would be all blaming on the doctors for not catching his cancer sooner, or not being able to help his son, but the dad talked about the doctors with a lot of respect.
One thing that really bugs me though is that I've already read 33 pages and the boy, Johnny, still doesn't know he has cancer. I mean, he's seventeen, so he should be able to handle what's happening to him. He has a right to know. It was also awhile before they told his mom what was going on, but this did happen in the '40s...
Anyways, the book has turned out a lot better than I expected, so I'm gonna go read some more, so that I can post another blog later :)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Stranger in a Strange Land...Done!
So, that was the strangest book I have ever read. I'm not even kidding. Yeah, the beginning was a bit tedious to read, but then it just kept getting weirder, and weirder, and weirder...
The ending of the book was sooo incredibly not expected. It got really gruesome too, unlike the rest of the book. I'm kinda of disappointed that I'm finished with it, but not at all dissapointed that I read it.
Stranger in a Strange Land was my first science fiction novel, but most definitely won't be my last. I'll admit I was tired of the usual kind of books that I read, so a book about martians was refreshing in a nerdy sort of way :P
Although I am a bit unhappy with how the characters developed throughout the book. Michael started out being so innocent and naive, so that he was incredibly likable, but towards the end, he grew up so much, and matured. He was no longer "an egg", as he called himself at the beginning. I was kind of sad that he lost his innocence. That was what set him about from the other people...other than the fact that he was raised on Mars...by aliens...
But other than the fact that the main character kinda developed badly (in my opinion, although I guess he kinda did have to develop mentally in order to help out the plot of the story...) it was a very good book, and I'm looking forward to reading something like it...possibly by the same author. Unfortunately, I have to read a non-fiction book first, but at least I have one picked out already, and it isn't as long as Stranger in a Strange Land, so it shouldn't take me as long to read.
The ending of the book was sooo incredibly not expected. It got really gruesome too, unlike the rest of the book. I'm kinda of disappointed that I'm finished with it, but not at all dissapointed that I read it.
Stranger in a Strange Land was my first science fiction novel, but most definitely won't be my last. I'll admit I was tired of the usual kind of books that I read, so a book about martians was refreshing in a nerdy sort of way :P
Although I am a bit unhappy with how the characters developed throughout the book. Michael started out being so innocent and naive, so that he was incredibly likable, but towards the end, he grew up so much, and matured. He was no longer "an egg", as he called himself at the beginning. I was kind of sad that he lost his innocence. That was what set him about from the other people...other than the fact that he was raised on Mars...by aliens...
But other than the fact that the main character kinda developed badly (in my opinion, although I guess he kinda did have to develop mentally in order to help out the plot of the story...) it was a very good book, and I'm looking forward to reading something like it...possibly by the same author. Unfortunately, I have to read a non-fiction book first, but at least I have one picked out already, and it isn't as long as Stranger in a Strange Land, so it shouldn't take me as long to read.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Personal Narrative (without "be" verbs!)
My friends don’t laugh when I watch my feet as I walk. They understand my clumsiness, and the need to make sure I don’t fall and hurt myself. I can trip over absolutely nothing at all. Surprisingly I have never broken anything. I choose to forget the time I broke my toe when I ran into a door. Fortunately, I usually had luck on my side, and I never got seriously injured.
I have gotten pretty used to my clumsiness, as have my friends. Although I still get teased endlessly when I fall over my own feet or simply lose my balance when standing completely still. They don’t make a big deal out of my habit of watching the ground ahead of me when I walk (especially on stairs).
My clumsiness prevents me from playing sports successfully, and I'd rather not have everyone watching me when I trip and fall. I also try to stay away from things that might otherwise put me in danger. I always try to handle sharp objects with care. I also usually avoid things with wheels (i.e. skates, bikes, and skateboards). But I don't always use my common sense. Sometimes I like to challenge myself and see if I can do something without tripping, or falling, or hurting myself. And it's times like those when I realize the true extent of my clumsiness.
On a normal day, my boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend) and I sat around enjoying the nice weather a couple weeks before school ended. I felt perfectly content with both my feet on the ground, but he, on the other hand, wanted to do something more. So, while I waited in fear, he went inside to get his skateboard.He doesn't usually skateboard either, but that didn't stop him from thinking his skateboarding skills allowed him to not wear a helmet (not to mention he has trouble finding helmets that fit). Since he didn't wear a helmet, I went without one too: a big mistake. So, he messed around on the skateboard without much success at doing tricks, but he managed to stay on the board and he didn't have blood gushing from his head or anything, so I assumed it safe for me to try: another big mistake.
I placed the skateboard in front of me on the concrete and took a deep breath. I slowly placed one of my ragged Converse on the back edge of the board (anyone with any common sense could see the mistake in this) and didn't even have time to get out a "$&*#" before I flew backwards. I, however, couldn‘t see the back of my head, and only felt a gentle throbbing from my fall. Obviously, my boyfriend could actually see the back of my head, so he freaked out. Unbeknownst to me, blood poured quite profusely into my long hair. Luckily the weekend meant his parents didn‘t have to work. Once I managed to calm him down, I got him to lead me inside (the incident caused me to become even more unsteady on my feet than usual), where his mom tended to my wound. The bleeding slowed down after a couple hours and I convinced him and his mom that I didn't need stitches (mostly because I didn't want my hair shaved off). I vowed to never step foot on a skateboard again.
That incident happened a couple months ago and I've managed to stay in one piece since then (once betraying my vow and letting my friend talk me into trying to skateboard again, which I did for a minute while holding his hand very, very tightly). If I do for some crazy reason have the urge to skateboard again, I'm going to make sure to wear a helmet. I have enough trouble moving without the added danger of a skateboard.
I have gotten pretty used to my clumsiness, as have my friends. Although I still get teased endlessly when I fall over my own feet or simply lose my balance when standing completely still. They don’t make a big deal out of my habit of watching the ground ahead of me when I walk (especially on stairs).
My clumsiness prevents me from playing sports successfully, and I'd rather not have everyone watching me when I trip and fall. I also try to stay away from things that might otherwise put me in danger. I always try to handle sharp objects with care. I also usually avoid things with wheels (i.e. skates, bikes, and skateboards). But I don't always use my common sense. Sometimes I like to challenge myself and see if I can do something without tripping, or falling, or hurting myself. And it's times like those when I realize the true extent of my clumsiness.
On a normal day, my boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend) and I sat around enjoying the nice weather a couple weeks before school ended. I felt perfectly content with both my feet on the ground, but he, on the other hand, wanted to do something more. So, while I waited in fear, he went inside to get his skateboard.He doesn't usually skateboard either, but that didn't stop him from thinking his skateboarding skills allowed him to not wear a helmet (not to mention he has trouble finding helmets that fit). Since he didn't wear a helmet, I went without one too: a big mistake. So, he messed around on the skateboard without much success at doing tricks, but he managed to stay on the board and he didn't have blood gushing from his head or anything, so I assumed it safe for me to try: another big mistake.
I placed the skateboard in front of me on the concrete and took a deep breath. I slowly placed one of my ragged Converse on the back edge of the board (anyone with any common sense could see the mistake in this) and didn't even have time to get out a "$&*#" before I flew backwards. I, however, couldn‘t see the back of my head, and only felt a gentle throbbing from my fall. Obviously, my boyfriend could actually see the back of my head, so he freaked out. Unbeknownst to me, blood poured quite profusely into my long hair. Luckily the weekend meant his parents didn‘t have to work. Once I managed to calm him down, I got him to lead me inside (the incident caused me to become even more unsteady on my feet than usual), where his mom tended to my wound. The bleeding slowed down after a couple hours and I convinced him and his mom that I didn't need stitches (mostly because I didn't want my hair shaved off). I vowed to never step foot on a skateboard again.
That incident happened a couple months ago and I've managed to stay in one piece since then (once betraying my vow and letting my friend talk me into trying to skateboard again, which I did for a minute while holding his hand very, very tightly). If I do for some crazy reason have the urge to skateboard again, I'm going to make sure to wear a helmet. I have enough trouble moving without the added danger of a skateboard.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Stranger in a Strange Land...part 3!
So, I'm almost done with the book and I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad. It is very interesting at certain parts, but it slows down a lot, which is why it's taking me so long to finish it. I should be done by tomorrow though.
Like I said, the plot slows down; like around the middle of the book. That is until a new character is introduced, and the true plot of the book comes out. Then it gets interesting again...very interesting. After Michael's friend, Gillian, breaks him out of the hospital where the government is holding him against his will, they go to a lawyer friend, who should be able to help him. At least that's where Gillian's friend, Ben, who has gotten himself kidnapped by the government, says they should go.
The lawyer friend is Jubal Harshaw, who is a very amusing character and what made me really get into the book. He's one of those good guys who are only doing what's right because they feel like it, not because they feel they have to. But, besides his initial intentions (he soon grows close to Michael), he is a good person, and very interesting to read about.
I just left off when the book was really getting interesting because the government has found out that the "Man from Mars" is staying at Harshaw's "castle". Although, this seems to all be part of Harshaw's plans to secure Michael his rights as a citizen of the United States and those as a Martian...only one way to find out.
Like I said, the plot slows down; like around the middle of the book. That is until a new character is introduced, and the true plot of the book comes out. Then it gets interesting again...very interesting. After Michael's friend, Gillian, breaks him out of the hospital where the government is holding him against his will, they go to a lawyer friend, who should be able to help him. At least that's where Gillian's friend, Ben, who has gotten himself kidnapped by the government, says they should go.
The lawyer friend is Jubal Harshaw, who is a very amusing character and what made me really get into the book. He's one of those good guys who are only doing what's right because they feel like it, not because they feel they have to. But, besides his initial intentions (he soon grows close to Michael), he is a good person, and very interesting to read about.
I just left off when the book was really getting interesting because the government has found out that the "Man from Mars" is staying at Harshaw's "castle". Although, this seems to all be part of Harshaw's plans to secure Michael his rights as a citizen of the United States and those as a Martian...only one way to find out.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Personal Narrative (draft)
I am a clumsy person. Not just a little bit clumsy either. I am like the definition of clumsy. I can trip over absolutely nothing at all. Surprisingly I have never broken anything...I choose to forget the time I broke my toe when I ran into a door. So, I guess I am pretty lucky since I never get seriously hurt...or at least I usually don't get seriously injured.
Anyways, I have gotten pretty used to my clumsiness, as have my friends. Although I still get teased endlessly when I fall over my own feet or simply lose my balance when I am standing completely still. They understand my need to watch my feet when I walk (especially on stairs...), and they don't make a big deal out of it.
Now, because I am so clumsy, I don't play any sports...I'd rather not have everyone watching me when I trip and fall. I also try to stay away from things that might otherwise put me in danger. Sharp objects, for example, are always handled with care. I also usually avoid things with wheels (i.e. skates, bikes, and skateboards). But I don't always use my common sense. Sometimes I like to challenge myself and see if I can do something without tripping, or falling, or hurting myself. And it's times like those when I realize the true extent of my clumsiness.
So, I was spending a normal day with my boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend) outside of his condominiums. We were enjoying the nice weather a couple weeks before school was going to be over. I was perfectly content with both my feet on the ground, but he, on the other hand, wasn't. So, while I waited in fear, he went inside to get his skateboard.
He doesn't usually skateboard either, but that didn't stop him from thinking he was good enough to not wear a helmet (not to mention he has trouble finding helmets that fit). Since he didn't wear a helmet, I went without one too, which was a big mistake. So, he messed around on the skateboard without much success at doing tricks, but he managed to stay on the board and he didn't have blood gushing from his head or anything, so I assumed it was safe for me to try: another big mistake.
I placed the skateboard in front of me on the concrete and took a deep breath. I slowly placed one of my ragged Converse on the back edge of the board (anyone with any common sense could see the mistake in this) and didn't even have time to get out a "$&*#" before I flew backwards. My head hit the ground hard and everything went black for a couple seconds, but besides for the gentle throbbing in the back of my head, I was okay. However, I couldn't actually see what was going on back there. Obviously, my boyfriend could, and he freaked out. Unknown to me, I was bleeding quite profusely out the back of my head. Luckily his mom was home, so once I managed to calm him down, I got him to lead me inside (I was still unsteady on my feet). The bleeding slowed down after a couple hours and I convinced him and his mom that I didn't need stitches (mostly because I didn't want my hair shaved off). I vowed to never step foot on a skateboard again.
That was a couple months ago and I've managed to stay in one piece since then (once betraying my vow and letting my friend talk me into trying to skateboard again, which I did for a minute while holding his hand very, very tightly). If I do for some crazy reason have the urge to skateboard again, I'm going to make sure to wear a helmet. I have enough trouble moving without the added danger of a skateboard.
Anyways, I have gotten pretty used to my clumsiness, as have my friends. Although I still get teased endlessly when I fall over my own feet or simply lose my balance when I am standing completely still. They understand my need to watch my feet when I walk (especially on stairs...), and they don't make a big deal out of it.
Now, because I am so clumsy, I don't play any sports...I'd rather not have everyone watching me when I trip and fall. I also try to stay away from things that might otherwise put me in danger. Sharp objects, for example, are always handled with care. I also usually avoid things with wheels (i.e. skates, bikes, and skateboards). But I don't always use my common sense. Sometimes I like to challenge myself and see if I can do something without tripping, or falling, or hurting myself. And it's times like those when I realize the true extent of my clumsiness.
So, I was spending a normal day with my boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend) outside of his condominiums. We were enjoying the nice weather a couple weeks before school was going to be over. I was perfectly content with both my feet on the ground, but he, on the other hand, wasn't. So, while I waited in fear, he went inside to get his skateboard.
He doesn't usually skateboard either, but that didn't stop him from thinking he was good enough to not wear a helmet (not to mention he has trouble finding helmets that fit). Since he didn't wear a helmet, I went without one too, which was a big mistake. So, he messed around on the skateboard without much success at doing tricks, but he managed to stay on the board and he didn't have blood gushing from his head or anything, so I assumed it was safe for me to try: another big mistake.
I placed the skateboard in front of me on the concrete and took a deep breath. I slowly placed one of my ragged Converse on the back edge of the board (anyone with any common sense could see the mistake in this) and didn't even have time to get out a "$&*#" before I flew backwards. My head hit the ground hard and everything went black for a couple seconds, but besides for the gentle throbbing in the back of my head, I was okay. However, I couldn't actually see what was going on back there. Obviously, my boyfriend could, and he freaked out. Unknown to me, I was bleeding quite profusely out the back of my head. Luckily his mom was home, so once I managed to calm him down, I got him to lead me inside (I was still unsteady on my feet). The bleeding slowed down after a couple hours and I convinced him and his mom that I didn't need stitches (mostly because I didn't want my hair shaved off). I vowed to never step foot on a skateboard again.
That was a couple months ago and I've managed to stay in one piece since then (once betraying my vow and letting my friend talk me into trying to skateboard again, which I did for a minute while holding his hand very, very tightly). If I do for some crazy reason have the urge to skateboard again, I'm going to make sure to wear a helmet. I have enough trouble moving without the added danger of a skateboard.
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