The Shire

       I am currently reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. TOLKIEN. During their adventure the author focuses on multiple protagonists there is however one journey that becomes greatly more important than any other throughout this quest. Frodo is a young hobbit that is sent to Rivendell, the city of the elves by his old friend Gandalf. When he arrives at this peaceful city, thought to be the end of his quest he volunteers himself to travel to mordor and destroy the one ring of power in the fires of mount doom. Throughout his adventure he is touched by  death during his encounter with the belrog while passing through the mines of moria, a vicious band of orks and uruk-hai, and the dreaded nasgul. Frodo began this journey with his good friends Samwise Gamgee, Perregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Gandalf Greyhame. Prior to their great journey these 5 friends spent their days in a small village known as the shire. The shire was a peaceful dwelling where the hobbit lives in holes under ground. It was a very quaint town where everyone knew everyone else and everyone were great friends. The shire had never been touched or even discovered by the outside world, as many men thought it was merely a myth, therefore these 4 hobbits were seldom faced with such adventures.

http://whiterosewritings.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html


"Eastward the Barrow-downs rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into a guess of blue and a remote white glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." - J.R.R. TOLKIEN, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring Page. 141

One Classic To Rule Them All

     I am currently reading the Lord of the Ring, the Two Towers. I think that this trilogy is an undying classic. I believe that what makes a story a classic, from a broader perspective is that it lasts and people don't forget it. Saying that, what I believe is something that people don't forget is, a fresh, unique and original story that has a perfect balance of, everything. Whether it be a perfect balance of action and love or narration and dialogue or any other criteria you could think to give a book. A classic can also have a very personal meaning. A book or song or movie can be a considered a classic to one person whereas someone else may have never even heard of it. For example when I think of books from my childhood the first thing that pops into my head is Good Night Moon. This is a personal classic however not everyone knows or has read it. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a guaranteed classic. I can say this based on one point. These books were published in 1955 and continue to be a loved story by many. Saying that I can base this off one point is true although there are numerous characteristics that support this fact. In the past decade 3 brilliant blockbuster movies have been released together grossing nearly 3 billion dollars. I could go on for pages explaining why this amazing and magical story will never be forgotten but I don't think anyone needs to be convinced that the Lord of the Rings is  timeless.

What Hits!?

"Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner,
sometimes I feel like my only friend,
is the city I live in the city of angels,
lonely as I am together we cry."
Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers


     When I was 7 I got a cheap walkmen for easter. It was the greatest thing that had happened since my gameboy. After spending days jumping around with my empty walkmen, I realised that I should get a CD to listen to. So I went to my dad and asked him if he had any albums that he though I might like. He took this silver CD with a large yellow asterix on the front. After consulting my mom and making sure it was appropriate he handed it too me. Little did I know this would become my favourite album ever. I put it in and this new, sound filled me ears. What Hits!? Was a compilation album of some of the Red Hot Chili Peppers best hits at that time. I Never removed my head phones. That summer we went camping and I was still listening to this one album. The drive was 4 hours but that didnt bug me, I had Anthony, Flea, Chad and John to keep me company. Under The Bridge had become my favourite song, because at that point it was the only song I could understand. I can still recite the lyrics to this day. Micheal "Flea"  Balzary, the Chili Peppers Bassist had also inspired to me to take up bass. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have affected and influenced my life greatly up to this point. And I plan to get a red asterix tatoo representing the chili peppers when Im old enough. As I write this I am still listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky which also happens to be on What Hits!?

Anthony Kiedis

"Scar tissue that I wish you saw
Sarcastic mister know it all
Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you ’cause
With the birds I’ll share
With the birds I’ll share
This lonely view
With the birds I’ll share
This lonely view,"
(Anthony Kiedis, Scar tissue, Page 404)


    Anthony Kiedis Grew up in michigan with him mother and would go to his dads in Los Angeles every summer. These anual visits would prepare him for the rest of his life. When Anthony was 13 he permanently moved to L.A. loving the fast life style, drugs, sex and music. Anthony had a rough child hood, beginning with his parents splitting up and his father moving to california when he was a young boy. He was first introduced to drugs when he was very young and began pretty hardcore partying when he was only 13. Although among his twisted and warped party experiences he had the opportunities to sit down with Led Zeppelin and Kieth Moon of The Who. I think that these experiences were very inspiring for Anthony and helped to open his eyes to the world of music. As Anthony grew up he was constantly doing drugs and living a "Live fast, die young," life style when he met Micheal Balzary, a quirky kid in middle school, who had an amaing skill. He could shred on bass like he had been doing since he was born. They became best friends and in 1983 formed a rock band named Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem. And soon became the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With Hillel Slovak on guitar and Jack Irons  on drums. After five fast, fun years Hillel Slovak, the bands guitarist and one of Anthony's best friends died of a heroin overdose. This helped Anthony realise that he needed help and they couldnt let Hillel down. This insired the trio to find a new guitarist and continue the band. Through their life the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Anthony Kiedis have grown has one and are now one of the largest rock bands in the world. Anthony has also been sober for over a decade and is living peacfully somewhere in L.A.

Scar Tissue - Anthony Kiedis

http://www.gilwilson.com/blog/2007/06/scar-tissue-by-anthony-kiedis-with.html

     I am currently reading the autobiography, Scar Tissue, by Anthony Kiedis. Anthony Kiedis is the lead vocals for the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) for nearly thirty years. RHCP formed in 1983 with the members Anthony Kiedis (Vocals) Micheal "Flea" Balzary (Bass) Hillel Slovak (Guitar) and Jack Irons (Drums). This is the dark retelling of Kiedis' life to date. Throughout his rollercoaster of a life he has been swaying in and out of deep and lonely drug adictions that not only affected him in his musical abilities and showmanship, it has equally affected the people around him including his band members, family, significant others and his fans. This is a very raw story that doesnt hold back on the finer grity details. Although not everything that Kiedis writes about is negative. Through his life Anthony Kiedis has had many empowering and spiritual moments. Wether it be overcoming his deep drug addictions, selling over 7 million copies of Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik or just that time his spent with his band members and best friends, Flea, Chad, Jack, Dave, John and his many female companions. I would recomend this book to not only people who enjoy and respect good music, but to people who are looking for a truthful, raw, life story of one of the greatest poets of all time.

What kind of reader am I?

     After reading the analysis of different classifications for readers that Samuel Taylor Coleridge created, I had trouble picking which one best suited me. As I looked at them I thought that I didnt perfectly fit in any of them, the two that I though best described me as a reader was a sand-glass, and sponges. Yes they are opposties although I believe that some of the criteria from either described me. I don't generally read for fun or amusement and I am eager to get through a book, I also retain many of the things from my selection. For example, I am currently reading Scar Tissue an autobiography by Anthony Kiedis, I am greatly looking forward to finishing the book, but seeing as Anthony is one of my most respected celebrities and musical figures I retain and remember many of the stories and facts that I have learned while reading this book. If I find a book that has a real connection to me, and is excited from the beginning to the end, I will most likely read and enjoy it.

"The more that you read, the more that things that you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go."- Dr. Seuss.

      I chose the quote "The more that you read, the more that things that you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go." By Dr. Seuss, for a few reasons, first of all I grew up reading, and loving Dr. Seuss for years. This quote is also so true but so simple. This quote isnt masked with riddles and big words, it is just simple but very true. Reading is one of the best methods of learning, and it's fun. Books range in variety greatly. If you take a bit everyday to read you will begin tearing through books. The more books that you read the more that you will learn, and as the quote says the more you learn the more places you will go. This is so true for two reasons because not only will it literally inspire you to travel and explore the world and the worlds present in your book. But this will also enhance your common knowledge and level of intellectualism. And this has the potential to take you far in life, wether it be in your educational career or the people that you meet or the things you experience.