#write2connect - National Day of Writing - Daniel Varnis

How does writing help you connect?

Writing allows not only me, but every other person on this earth connect in various different (and similar) fashions. For instance, some people write in a journal or diary everyday so they can connect with their feelings and let go of some burdens in life. Another case of this is the forms of writing within social networks. As of 2006, Twitter calculated that approximately 300+ million tweets are written every single day. That is A LOT! With all of these messages/tweets being sent out every day, there are 300+ million ideas being written, published, shared, and pursued. This form of connection is probably one of the most powerful, yet simple forms out there. It takes little to no effort to write 140 characters (Twitter's character count per tweet limit), but it requires a lot of effort to write something that has meaning. One last example of writing to help you connect is an author writing a book. For instance, we read a book calledDrown by Junot Diaz. This book was Diaz's way of connecting with people around the world, telling the personal story about his life growing up as a poverty-stricken boy, also have troubles with love and confusion in his life. Him writing this book gives people the opportunity to learn from his endeavors and mistakes. Out of all of the examples of connecting through writing, I'd say that writing a book is the finest and most eloquent. The formality of this type of writing is what really set's aside from the others... but in a good way! To close, I'll say that when it comes to connecting through writing, the number of ways to do so is endless; the sky's the limit.

#write2connect

#write2connect

I am not the most outgoing person however I love writing stories that have bold outlandish characters that each have little parts on myself in them. These characters connect to people on levels that I normally would never be able to. Whether it be through the characters race, past experience, or environment. Writing helps me connect to other people.

National Day on Writing

How does writing help you connect?

For me, writing helps me connect in two ways. Writing connects me to the world  and it connects me to the people around me. For the first, when I write and am able to see the world for what it is. The good and the bad. I need to connect to the world to write properly so that my writing can be accurate. Writing also helps me connect to other people. It allows me to see the point of views of others, and helps me relate to them. Writing can connect to many things, but these are the strongest connections to me.

Write2Connect- Eiva Gallowglass


 
 For as long as I can remember I've been locked up inside my own little world. A world where no one's opinions could hurt me or tare me down. Being Introverted person I never have an easy time making friends or more importantly sharing my ideals. Then I discovered writing and suddenly I felt my world opening up. I usually never let myself show in my writing, but little by little I let my experiences show. I give people a little taste of who I am and what I know in every little world I create. 

 I use fiction as a door way to who I am and how my mind really works. There is nothing i love more than when someone complements my work because, then it's like a little piece of me has finally been recognized as something more than that one girl who sits all alone in the corner of a room and types. It's like I'm finally being seen as a person. I use my writing to prove to the world that there is more to me than what they think they know or see. I am not just some girl. I am a creative person who has bad experiences with opening up. I am not stuck up or mean. I am afraid of everyone and everything. All you need to do is read a story I wrote and listen to the voices that tell my story and the stories of many others like me. 


That is how I write to connect how do you? 


    

Write to connect

I believe writing lets out my inner animal. Writing is what makes me sane. Writing doesn't have to be something big and connect to something greater than yourself. For me writing helps me connect to me. Writing is my access to finding myself. When I write I don't just write simple obvious stuff. I write everything and anything that comes to my brain. No matter how vulgar and raunchy it is, I put it on paper. Honestly that's my only outlet. Writing is my freedom. My classmate told me to "write, let yourself free Diamond". Before that I was hesitant to write, like people from the hood don't write. Then when I started it was like. Frank Lucas probably use to write. To sum this all up Writing helps myself connect with the real world, and writing sets me free.

Write to Connect

I write to connect. That is the main reason why I write. I write because it exposes myself. Writing allows me to do this because it lets me share things that I never thought I could talk about without showing people everything about who I am. People know me without knowing me. Writing out these moments and stories that live in my head put myself in a new, slightly uncomfortable position; having others read them becomes even more uncomfortable. For some reason I continue sharing my writing; I continue to expose myself in this way because I love it, it's worth the uncomfortable feeling.

I also write to connect with ideas. Nearly every night I write in a journal. This is an attempt to connect with the ideas that are flying around in my head. Writing them out allows them to form fully and fully formed ideas are much easier to connect with. Even though no one else reads this writing I feel as though I understand myself better.

I am a writer, I am a novelist. My writing has put my into a world full of all types of people. I have met and connected with people over the ideas that we put into words. I have been exposed to new challenges and experiences because of words.


#Write2connect

How does writing help you connect. 

     Writing help you connect with a lot of things. Such as your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and etc. Wrting shows your thoughts about what you thing about the quote, story, or the actual subject without saying it out loud in class.  Writing is not only that it helps you connect by showing the readers what are the important things, but it shows other readers your thought, and what you feel is best. Writing is just a better way to answer question without saying them out loud. Another example is a diary. Writing it down in a book and not express you feelings to life you can just express it in writing. Thats how i connect. 

#Write2Connect

I think that writing can help us connect in general because it gives us more space to think by letting us get the thoughts and connections out and then share them with the world in a way that can help us connect with the rest of the world.  Specifically we can write things that are meaningful to us and then share them and then others can read them to learn about who we are.  We can write about events that happen and how they affected people and things around us and how they affect others that aren't anywhere near it.  We can write to show things to people that can't see them to bring everyone together, to help everyone else understand, and simply to connect.

#Write2Connect

Writing is a way to express your ideas and beliefs in a way to get people to understand the different viewpoints in life. I think that people have thought that writing comes only in certain ways. Everything you say or think can be or is a form of writing. It is a way to interpret other people's brains. It is a way to see into people's thoughts and how they view the world. Writing is getting to know people with out an interaction. 

#write2connect

Writing helps me connect ideas I have in my head.  When I write, I start out with a general concept and it gradually get’s refined and changed over the course of my writing.  Through this process, writing helps me to puzzle out ideas I have in my head.  It let’s me form these ideas into something less translucent and more corporeal, then combine some ideas with others, making a better end product. #write2connect

Pipeline Monologue Project: Javier Peraza & Kevin Courtney

In World History class my fellow peers and I have been actively engaged with a topic of herculean controversy that has even pondered President Obama on what should be done. We have dived into the research and collaboration of the Keystone Xl Pipeline and all the intuitiveness that is carried with it. Most people applied beginning questions such as “What even is the KeyStone pipeline?” and “How does this affect me?”. Over the course of the lesson we began to learn that the pipeline was a proposed idea for an independent refined oil source that would run through the United States from Canada. Everyone was tasked to understand the viewpoints of people who were pro pipeline and people who were against it. It gave us a chance to step into someone else’ shoes and think differently. This change of thought better supported growth in our minds and helped our ability to see multiple theorems and possibilities. Some standpoints included how the pipeline could do nothing but benefit us due to its extreme safety and economical abutment. Others argued that the pipeline would be dangerous to the environment and could cause feuds with other countries. The students of the history class were involved in much research and many activities. Our last and final project was to create monologues that represented different arguments and people who are somehow connected to the pipeline. The project itself was fun, manageable and gave the class an opportunity to matriculate a subject unique to us.5 

Key Facts about the Keystone Pipeline

 - The Alberta Tar Sands oil development is garnering attention again as pro-energy forces on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border increase pressure on the U.S. Government to approve TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline.

- Keystone XL is an export pipeline. According to the presentations to investors, Gulf Coast refiners plan to refine the cheap Canadian crude supplied by the pipeline into diesel and other products for export to Europe and Latin America.

- Reducing demand for oil is the best way to improve our energy security. U.S. demand for oil has been declining since 2007. New fuel-efficiency standards mean that this trend will continue once the economy gets back on track.

- “Its a given that the crime activity increases and hospitals are getting more use, and housing is so expensive. Sure, there are jobs, but you can’t find anywhere to live.” - Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Supply Commissioner Bill Whitehead 

- “The Keystone XL pipeline is not in the national interest. This pipeline, which is proposed to carry Canadian tar sands oil to the Gulf Coast, is for the purpose of generating profit for a private company, it is for a private use. It will generate very few jobs, and the oil is destined for export markets.” - Northern Plains Resource Council 


Monologues:

Green Words

(Outgoing ring of telephone. Rings then goes to voicemail. Man waits for voicemail to be over then he leaves his message. Sighs continually before speaking.)

“Hey Maria, it’s uhm your husband Tom...you’re probably not home right now or you’d answer the phone. This is my uhm fifth time I’ve called you. Maybe you got a new number or something. Maybe I just have the wrong one. Ha-ha eh its been so long since I’ve been home I don’t even remember our number. Well I mean your number now so..I tried asking your mother but she won’t have anything to do with me. She says I'm no good for you but I know she’s wrong. I know I am plenty good for you. Good for us. Look I miss you Maria, I miss our son. That’s all I do anymore is think of the two of you. I just wanna come home and have things be like they were before. I have my shit together, I do I SWEAR I DO! REALLY! I even went to one of those head doctors, shrinks I think they call them. He said that I’ve improved tremendously since the uhm..accident. I just really wanna go home and be with you and our boy. Just please...hear me out. It was all because of that dreaded pipeline I swear to you it...”

(Hangs up phone, presses head against telephone box, and starts to sob while banging his fist against the wall) 

(Calls again later. After a few rings someone picks up on the other line. Tom doesn't hesitate to answer.)

“Hey bab-Maria. I mean uhm Maria. Yes Maria. Can we talk now I just really-..no I did not get the divorce papers yet. Yea well because-...but-..yes but..Can we just talk about this please? YES! THANK YOU! Thank you so much… I uhm you know I have been sober for two weeks straight now. No I’m not lying-yes I know thats why I stopped! I don’t want our Kevin to be exposed to that kind of stuff either. I can come home now, I’ve stopped really-Now just wait one minute he is my son too!! Of course he is OUR Kevin, HE IS OUR CHILD FOR GOD’S SAKE!!! No no I’m sorry don’t hang up on me please. I didn’t mean to yell. There’s nothing wrong with me honest! It just all changed on that morning….It wasn’t my fault.. I woke up that day and went to guard the pipeline from protesters. It was getting harder and harder to do. While those damn Americans took their good old time deciding whether or not to allow our pipeline across their country more and more riots had been breaking out everywhere. Meanwhile we are up here freezing our asses off with a potential source of refined oil that we can’t possibly use until we have their pathetic consent!-Yes I know you’ve heard the story plenty of times but not this one just listen please. Those damn full of manure tree huggers were having a huge protest right next to the pipeline. They were jumping up and down on the thing and smashing bottles against it. I honestly hate them all, making my job harder. My badge did nothing. The right and just presence of a state trooper phased them none. Well everything was happening so fast-I uhm I know you have work just please listen a little more-....there was a man there. He seemed like the big guy, the damn leader of those hippie liberals...eh-he uhm he uhm had an axe. Everyone was cheering him on as he delivered a vicious harangue and pretty soon things got even more out of control. He went to start hacking away at the pipeline. I don’t know what he was thinking-he couldn’t possibly damage all 329 miles of it in Canada but I-I-...when the bullet penetrated his body everyone went silent. It was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever witnessed...I’ve ever committed. All I could think about as his limp body hit the ground was who this man was. I later found out that he had a family. Wife, kids, a brother...I didn't want to leave our family after that but I was scared!-..I got to thinking and maybe them tree huggers-I mean people..maybe they have a point. I never cared about the environment and shit like that. I only cared about protecting the community but I’m starting to realize that protecting the community involves protecting where the community lies. The Americans are right. They should proceed with caution for such a matter. Maybe I’ll go on to write my own speech and dance around a tree like those hippies-uh those people that care ‘bout where we live. I don’t wanna drink through my nights anymore, I wanna be with you and Kevin. Just please give me that last chance I’ll even-what? You really have to go now?..Uhm tell Kevin his father says hi..I love you-”

(Phone hangs up on other line. Tom starts to sob)

I didn’t mean it...I-I regret.. everything.

The Thorn In The Birch

Green blades of grass bristled my hooves as I pranced through the open field.  The white, fluffy stuff that falls from the blue dome above covered the field in patches. My brown fur sheathed me from the cold while my horns of masculine dominance showed justly. Right hoof, left hoof, right hoof, left hoof. Moving was instinct. I was looking for my kith. Right hoof, left hoof. Look for kith. Right hoof, Left hoof. My kindred must be around somewhere. The field with the white, fluffy stuff was only a short breadth from where my kindred lie in home valley. A quick whisk through the tall beings that supplied nutrients was all that was needed to reach the lowland. I bobbed and weaved through the gracious beings with meshy, green camouflage and hopped over the lifeless grey spheres that strived on the ground. Quickly I bustled into the valley only to find it empty of my family. SNIFF SNIFF. I smelled for them. SNIFF SNIFF. No scent was picked up. SNIFF SNIFF. My only thought was that they went to quench thirst at the path filled with moving clear liquid. As I was about to right hoof, left hoof it out of the valley I noticed a strange monolith, grey in color, that reigned sideways through my home. All around it was pulled up grass and destroyed shelters created from branches. My home that I had lived in for my entire escence of time was gone. The monolith was not there aforetime ago but it certainly was relevant with the stranger stuff that was going on. I first saw them when the silver circle bequeathed the blue dome two times before today. Weird looking creatures with peach, mushy fur that stretched across their whole bodies. They galloped on twos instead of fours and had long tendril like things coming out of their arms. They emitted foreign sounds while creating abstract gestures. They held in their tendrils long strips with symbols on them in which they placed on the ground. After picking them back up they inscribed more symbols on a square board. When they left I thought no more of it but now after seeing this substructure in the valley I was almost certain it had to do with them. Suddenly the monolith shook and started oozing out a black honey that had a horrible stench. Singing creatures that soared in the sky got stuck in it as they landed. As it spread, the tall nutrient bearing beings cloaked in green fumed up in red and emitted intolerable heat. I turned, dashed away immediately and in an instant was taken hold by aptitude. I barely noticed the other creatures rush by me in blurs as the rest of the forest was overwhelmed more by that heated, red element. The furry creatures that dig holes in the ground blew up in red. The flying beings fell from the blue dome as black ghosts puffed in the air. Soon I was out of the chaos and stood alone in an empty clearing. Alone. With no great alpha to guide my journey in the forest. Alone. With no kindred to buckle antlers against. Alone. With no mate to even dare attempt continuing legacy. Alone. With nothing but a grey monolith whose purpose in the forest I surely hoped was greater than the lives of my cousins that called such forest home first. 

Obama Turnover

(Walking through the hallway towards her husband’s office and immediately calling for him for plans for the night.)

“Barack...Barack. Are you in there I need to ask you something about tonight? Hello there gentlemen how are you doing today? Thats good I’m doing fine. Is the president in there? Thank you. (Opens the door of the office.) Barack...Barack. Are you in here? Hmm... He might be in the bathroom or he’s just not here. Barack can you hear me? Are you hiding from me, I want to talk about dinner tonight...you know with the kids. Its the first in a month we get to have dinner as a whole unit.”
(Cell phone rings..)
 “Hello? Oh Barack hi... umm Where are you? Your where? Atlanta! What the hell are you doing down there? Barack you know were suppose to be having dinner with the kids even my parents are coming over. Oh your sorry that I told you this plenty of times Barack c’mon...umm like really I had this all planned out. You better be back on time. Ok FINE!!!... Love you too, see you soon. 
(Starts walking away and hears a folder full of papers hitting the ground softly, and turns around.) Hmm....What's this? Is this.....(gasp of silence). What’s going on here? Is this one of Barack’s plan? The Keystone Pipeline. I’ve never heard of this. (Starts reading the proposal) The Keystone pipeline is ....(gasp)Oh No I have to call Barack. (Dials the phone and goes to voicemail) BARACK!!! You have a lot of explaining to do when you get home later today. I know you're probably doing a speech right now like you always do every time you visit a state but, its about this Keystone Pipeline thing..umm What's this all about? We need to talk in private later tonight. Bye. (hangs up phone.) (Reads more of the proposal) The keystone pipeline is suppose to be in service by 2015. It suppose to run 329 miles through Canada and 858 miles in the U.S. This will create 20,000 jobs to help people. $585 million in taxes!! Ok this is not right...right for our environment. Ohh Barack(pause) I can’t wait to yell at you. Why would you agree to this. Thats a shit load of oil being pumped for that amount of miles. This can hurt the people. This...this....this can hurt the whole environment. (She throws the paper runs out the room).  

Mended Spirits

(Kenny is walking with his boss. The phone rings and Kenny picks up the phone and hears bad news about his brother Louis, while walking near area )

“Hello? Oh hi mom. What’s going on? And why you sound like you're about to burst into tears. Wait What!!!! What the fuck you mean Louis is dead. Stop playing a joke on me mom this isn’t funny. ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW. no no No No NO NO NOOOO!!!!! How did he get killed ?!! Pipeline? What Damn pipeline theres plenty of pipelines throughout Canada. The Keystone pipeline. That new pipeline that is “suppose” to help us canadians. Wait he was shot. By who? A cop?! Why was he even shot. Mom I got to go...No I’ll call you later.”
(He hangs up the phone and starts screaming) “AHHHHHHHH NOOO WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHAT DID HE EVER DO WRONG. (Kenny’s Boss ask what's wrong) What’s wrong with me? Oh umm let me put it this way. MY BROTHER WAS SHOT AND NOW HE IS DEAD! Don’t tell me calm down! Im sick and tired of all the negativity that gets put on. You know what I’m done. I QUIT MY JOB! Now get out of here before I take out all my anger on you.” 
(Kenny’s Boss runs away. Kenny then kicks down a trash can and pulls out his phone and hits the record button on his camera) “Listen up Canada and people in the U.S and listen up real good. Ask yourself this. Is the Keystone Pipeline affecting our environment? Well let me tell you a little story. Moments ago I don’t know when..umm My brother has been shot to death for purposely “attacking” the pipeline. Now I’m not sure if you love the pipeline or you hate the pipeline, but if you’re a person who hates it, I agree with you (Pointing his finger to the camera). I can already see of what’s happening. People starting riots, holding up signs that say stop the keystone pipeline. Now I’m a shy guy, but now its time to stand up and raise our voices to protect our land and our freedom. Us Canadians and quite frankly Americans don’t want to have higher taxes. This is all just for oil. Are you kidding me? Now let me ask you this. What if all of the oil oozed out, what do you think would happen to our land? What would happen to the wild creatures that live on our land and protect their own kindred. As of right now I’m going to be a protester to support my brother who didn’t deserve to die over this dang pipeline. Obama or anyone specific working on this pipeline is watching at this moment...we're going to take this pipeline down. You don’t know who you're messing with. (Hits the stop button on his phone)     


A Toppling Democracy

(Governor of Nebraska walks into office and sits at desk. After reading a report from one of his officials, he sighs and pulls out his personal voice recorder in which he uses to journal is thoughts. He leans back in his desk, turns on recorder, and starts speaking)

“It has been two years since the Keystone Pipeline has been introduced into our pinnacle of society...yet my campaign to creating a better economy has gone nowhere but south. I consented to the pipeline due to the benefits that it could bring to our country. Only a few on our side of the border stand with me to seeing those benefits. To seeing true reason. The need for independence in energy renewal for this country is at an all time high. We must reduce the conflicts for oil in other countries and start coming to tangible solutions for energy resources with actual allies of us. Not lead our own country men into war when there is something we can all agree on that causes no violence. I was subtle, strong as a wall but still subtle. I have tried not to take the more radical approach but I think the call for radicalness is upon us. If even the President can not come to a conclusion soon then who can? I believe I am that person. I am quite aware of what the duties as the Governor of Nebraska are and what kind of social respect comes with such but these are hard times and hard times come with even harder reprimandations. I believe it is time for diplomatic immunity. I don’t see myself as a bad man but one who wants to see his country and countrymen thrive to their potential. Because of this I am warranting the arrest of any protester that dares raise a single finger against the Keystone Pipeline in the borders of Nebraska. I want those traitors to our country to be locked away in a cell far underground. I want them to feel pain, I want them in my grasps- uhm hi baby girl…-no Daddy can’t play right now. Because Daddy has work to do...NO DON’T TOUCH THAT SWEETY- No-

(Voice recorder ends suddenly as little girl grabs it and turns it off accidentally) 


Videos:


 

Power Of Writing

At a young age I felt as if writing was just something I had to do I didn't recognize the power of writing. Today I can testify differently at this day and age for writing has revealed it's true colors to me. Writing is a tool of communication between myself and others.Writing has been my refuge in many moments of self doubt fear and life tribulations . As a result of writing I have had the liberation to save myself through my words. Through writing my thoughts have been reaffirmed. I have been able to lend words of wisdom to ones In need and receive as well through writing. I have been able to capture and revisit history.I find myself everyday through writing.


Article #6: “Técnicos argentinos utilizan gases de vacas como fuente de energía”


Técnicos del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria dijeron, “¿Imagina un vehículo que funcione con metano generado en el rumen de las vacas?” Este artículo sobre un equipo de técnicos del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria quien tienen examen una sistema a crea gases de las vacas para usar como fuente energética. El gas metana de los estómagos de las vacas puede usado para carros con motor y más. Técnicos del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria dijeron, “...en aquellos lugares donde no llega el suministro convencional, los productores tengan una alternativa para cocinar, iluminar sus viviendas e, incluso, manejar sus autos.” 



Una sistema es complicado. La cantidad depende sobre la cantidad de comida que las vacas comen y el tamaño de la vaca.  El coordinador del proyecto dije, “La cantidad de gases recolectados varía según el alimento ingerido y el tamaño del ejemplar: una vaca adulta emite cerca de 1.200 litros por día, de los cuales entre 250 y 300 son metano.” Elegí este artículo porque el artículo pareció interesante. Yo nunca de la vaca productor el gas. No sé cómo siento sobre las vacas ser usado para el gas. Yo pienso las vacas no debería usado para el gas. Allí son otro métodos para fuentes energéticas.



Word Count: 207


Elcacho, Joaquim. "La Vanguardia.com." LA VANGUARDIA. La Vanguardia, 16 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.lavanguardia.com/medio-ambiente/20131016/54391218228/tecnicos-argentinos-utilizan-gases-vacas-fuente-de-energia.html>.

Reflection #6: “El anillo de compromiso de Kim Kardashian se vende por 749,000 dólares”

Audrey Pham

Q1

Melanie Manuel

Word Count: 202


El anillo de compromiso de Kim Kardashian se vende por 749,000 dólares”


El novio de Kim Kardashian ahora mismo es Kanye West. Ellos tienen un bebé niña juntos. Nombre de bebé es North West. Kim Kardashian casó famoso NBA jugador de baloncesto se llama Kris Humphries en 2011 de Noviembre. Ellos estuvieron casasteis para setenta y dos todos los días. Kim Kardashian y Kris Humphries gastaron diez millones de dólares en la boda. Kris Humphries compró anillo de compromiso para dos millones de dólares para Kim Kardashian. En Octubre 2011, Kris y Kim anunciaron van a divorciarse. Ahora Kim Kardashian vendía el anillo de compromiso para setecientos cuarenta y nueve mil de dólares en la subasta en martes. El anillo de compromiso estuvo veinte quilates. Sin embargo, ella no dice anillo de Kris. Elegí este artículo porque me gusta leer y escribo sobre celebridad en español para clase. Aprendí no casar alguien para setenta y dos todos los días en el futuro. En vida, necesitamos estar consciente de quién nosotros casan. Porque casa alguien es decisión importante. Pienso Kim Kardashian no debe tuvo vendió el anillo. Porque Kris Humphries compraba el anillo con su dinero y ella es recibe el dinero. No es justo. Kim es codiciosa sobre dinero a veces y es triste.


"El Anillo De Compromiso De Kim Kardashian Se Vende Por 749.000 Dólares." CNN En Espaol Ultimas Noticias De Estados Unidos Latinoamrica Y El Mundo Opinin Y Videos RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.