Quick Write- Best|Worst Meal

The worst meal, saving best for last, would smell like a burnt, salty and putrid smelling piece of rotten gym socks. It would have all that combined with the smells of sweat and even blood and dirt. It would taste exactly as it smells.

Alternately the best meal would smell like a light airy pastry stuffed with chocolate and stuff. It would taste like a thick juicy steak, and have the after taste of a tall glass of Coca-Cola.

Quick Write- Eden

My Eden. I haven't really thought about what it would be, but I suppose it would have to be big. Expansive actually, a place that is seemingly endless and every step you discover something new, something extraordinary. And right in the middle, because you'd eventually want to return somewhere familiar, there'd be a house. A small one story house, but as you stepped in it the floor would drop out and you'd see that it was several stories underground. You'd have two options to descend and ascend, and that'd be an elevator or you could climb. At the bottom there would be a room so big you'd think you were in a mansion, and in that room would be everything you need to live. From food to clothes. Now right now I've painted a picture that shows an individual in their house, but there would be millions of people all with their own houses and everyone would have their needs met. No government, because I think that it's a bit of a stupid policy, but everyone lived by a set of rules that were essentially common sense, and everyone policed their own issues. It would be nice.

Skype Reflection

Today we skyped with the grade 3's from Thompson. I thought a lot of stuff went well. We all delivered our procedural writings with ease and comfort and the grade 3's were all very into it. I think that slurping with the grade 3's is awesome because it shows how much we can teach them and how much they've taught us. They have some awesome thoughts about life because they're so young and it's really refreshing to talk to them. With graduation looming it's nice to think that we were there just 9 years ago.

-Ben

The Big Band Dance

So this last Saturday was the Big Band Dance! For those who don't know what the Big Band Dance is, it's an opportunity for people to come out and dance to the music of the jazz bands from the school. It's an awesome night! And I was lucky enough to perform for my 4 years at Sturg. Last Saturday was no exception. I had a blast singing 1st Soul Man by The Blues Brothers with my friend Sammy, and second Smooth by Carlos Santana feat. Rob Thomas. It was an amazing experience as always, but a bit bittersweet seeing as it was my last performance with the school. I'll always remember my times performing at the Big Band Dance and will hold them very dear in my heart for years to come.

-Ben

How to Watch a Scary Movie

Step 1:

Find a scary movies and some friends

Step 2:

Turn off the lights and get ready (I.e. Get some popcorn and some drinks, and if you need a blankie)

Step 3:

Start the movie.

Step 4:

Get the main plot points, so you can understand the story.

Step 5:

If you get scared, cover your face and try not scream.

Step 6:

Once the movie's over, make your friends swear they won't tell anyone you got scared.

Step 7:

Try to sleep! Good luck ;)

As A Canadian...

I can definitely attest to this fact.

Even though I hate to embrace stereotypes, this one really hits the mark. I don't know what it is about being Canadian, but we're just so dang polite. I guess that's just what we're all aboot though, Timmies and being polite and maple syrup eh?

IGNITE Presentation

Well, I finally did it! Finally got my IGNITE presentation done and presented! I mean I had a fun time doing it and everything, but after a while you'll want anything to be over and done with. I think I did a good job of the speech, and the slides were, at least to me, entertaining and related well to my presentation. If you weren't there to see it, it was on Stage Fright and how to overcome it. I talked about some tricks to beat it and even used a couple personal examples. I had a great presenting it and I feel like a lot if my class had a good time listening to it. I wish I had recorded it so I could put it here on my blog, but maybe next time.

Anyway, I look forward to my future endeavours in Creative Writing and can't wait to share them with you!

-Ben

Oh What A Day!

You ever have those whirl wind kind of days? You know? The kind that you just want to get home and relax? Well that was today. I got up and I felt like, "Why the hell do I have to go to school today?" Looking at me was a Physics test I really wasn't ready for among other things. I just sort of wanted to call in sick. I was a little pessimistic, to say the least, when I got to school this morning, but I pushed on. I got through math class, and found out I have for the next 3 days a quiz, another quiz, and then a test. Oh and guess what!?!? Test again Monday. Lucky me right? Well anyway, after that, I went to do some last minute studying for physics, but I didn't get far, as my football/wrestling/rugby coach wanted me to help him put posters up around the school detailing practice times for the next month or so. So by the time it was time for me to write my test at lunch, I wasn't looking for it at all. As soon as I handed it in, I had the worst feeling about my performance on it. But I had to sit for about 50 minutes doing classwork until it was marked. When I got it back and saw that I'd beaten a couple of people with my mark I certainly chippered up a bit. Granted I only got 18/31. But that's a silver lining for sure! But then I had my IGNITE presentation to do still in Creative Writing. Jeez I was nervous, even though that's what my presentation addresses, yenno, stage fright. But guess what?!?! I didn't have to do it. I get until tomorrow. SO I guess today wasn't that bad, but over all I'm just glad it's almost done! But then I guess it could've been worse!

-Ben

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0USwOa3vdjdNlk1WEsyYWFocXc/edit?usp=sharing

So this is the slideshow for my IGNITE presentation. I had a bit of an interesting time getting it all ready due to illnesses and family obligations, but in the end I pulled it together. Well almost. I tried and tried, but for the life of me couldn't figure out how to get the proper photo credits on the pictures. But luckily Ms. McLauchlan's letting us put the photo credits here.

So here they are:

1-3 are various themes I found on Keynote for my presentation.

4 is a picture taken by myself (Ben McMahon) after a production of Guys and Dolls at CSHC.

5 another picture I took of a program I had from a Ukrainian Dance Festival

6-20 are from a site called Shutterstock 

http://www.shutterstock.com/?gclid=CJf7_dCx8r0CFYtDMgodLFEA9A

And that should more than cover me for where my photos came from.

-Ben

Mid Semester Reflection

Mid Semester Reflection

1.       Six Word Memoirs:

So the first thing I’m going to say is that my six word memoirs still aren’t up on my blog. That’s simply due to the fact that there was a lot of different things going on in my life (breaking my arm, some technical issues, and family complications).  I’m very close to putting them up on my blog, they’re all mostly done, and I’m excited to display them for the world to see. I thought that overall, other than delays, it went well.  It was fun finding all the pictures and relating them to a certain theme and how that brought certain feelings into the process. Some things that could’ve used some work, firstly, getting them onto my blog sooner (obviously), but other than that, I think it well, like I already said. There’s one thing I learnt about myself from doing this, I attach memories and emotions to certain events, and seeing a picture and writing those six words on it brings all those feelings and memories back. It was awesome!

A mark for this that I will try and resolve A.S.A.P. is Incomplete, just because they aren’t on my blog yet.

2.       IGNITE Presentations:

Again. I haven’t presented. I was sick for the past couple of weeks which pushed back me being able to present, which is really unfortunate. Why? Because I love public speaking and presenting things! So I’m really anxious to present. But I really liked doing this speech. It was easy to write, and the element of a visual aid along with it really made it fun. Everything is ready to go, I just haven’t presented yet. The one thing I think that could’ve used improvement probably would be just to have come up with a topic sooner than I did, because I spent the last half of spring break being able to finally write a speech, because I had no idea what to write about. I wasn’t a huge fan of the fact we were restricted not only by the five minutes to present but that the slides changed every 15 seconds. But I made it work! I already knew what I was going to experience during this assignment, because I’ve done speeches so many times, but it was still fun.

For now my mark on this is incomplete, but Tuesday that will all change!

3. Blogging

            So I haven’t really had a lot of time to do that much blogging this year, which I do actually regret. I have posted most of my assignments on my blog on time, but as for personal reflections, not so good there. I plan on posting more personal articles on here and let people know what’s happening in my life. As for posting on other classmates blog’s, well that too could be better. I mean I have left the odd comment here and there on others blog’s, but I think I’ll try to start visiting other blogs more often, because a lot of my fellow chums and chummettes in class are very interesting. So I have set myself a goal. Blog more!

My Mark for this would be a B-.

4. Communicating and Interacting

            Well this section’s a breeze of fresh air for me. Looking at my reflection, I see a lot of aspects I need to change about my online participation. But when it comes to this part, I have no worries. I’ve always been a talkative guy, and love participating in groups and stuff like that. So my participation in class is always up. I’m always willing to share and I think I usually have something interesting to say. When it comes to Skyping with the kids from Thompson I’m always there to give my two cents and even show off some juggling.

So for this section I’m going to give myself an A+!!!

5. My Three Course Related Goals

            Well aside from all the personal improvements I want to make in regards to my work, I’d definitely like to more blogging for one. It’s lots of fun, and I think that there’s a possibility that someone might want to read what I have to say. Secondly, I’d like to be able to get all my assignments in, in a prompt and quick fashion. And finally, I’d like to be able to raise my mark a little bit, I mean it’d look good to have a 90+ mark, so I’m going to work my butt off to get that.