Impulse, Ellen Hopkins

Impulse. The one-word title is striking and sudden, like a gasp in the winter, filling your lungs with a chilling sensation of wonder and curiosity. In the story, there are three stories, three paths, three characters. The characters and their stories are all different, but their pain is a common denominator, between them and anyone who is human. This novel tells the gutsy story, not long ago thought taboo. Of what really goes on in the minds of adolescents. Tony is a drug addicted lad with a childhood like Maury has never seen. His troubles with his sexuality and his past make him an easily related to, vulnerable character we can all find solace in. Vanessa is an attractive girl with a pretty smile, who knows how pretty the smile of the blade is. Her father is in the armed forces, and her mother was a schizophrenic, suffering from hallucinations and double personalities varying like the flick of a switch. Conner, is a stereotyped pretty boy with a wealthy family who seems to have the perfect life. Looking closer, there's such an array of problems, dating back to when he was a toddler, his attempt at suicide is easily rationalized.
The three meet at 'Aspen Springs', a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted suicide. Tony, by overdose, Vanessa by blade, Conner by gun. They all receive a second chance, and upon meeting seek to save each other. The book is told in prose-poetry, metaphors and similes grace the page with vicious impact. The book is 666 pages, though don't be fooled, it could be read in a day. The twists and turns, and reality of the book shake you right where you stand. The story is hypnotic and the outcome is horrifyingly enticing. This book is so tasteful and honest, it's scary. Hopkins's writing is dark and comic. Raw and true, the novel will capture you and by its nooks and crannies of brilliant, thundering genius you will be forever changed. Don't fight your impulse to get your hands on this book, and witness the magic that is Ellen Hopkins. After reading 'Impulse', i had a revelation, contemplating how deeply our childhood affects who we are. Each hero/heroine was pained because of something that happened or didn't happen in the past, and how it made them who they are. Cause and Effect, i suppose. Impulses have consequences, and no blade, bottle, or bullet can cure you of loneliness.

Bright Eyes: Cassadaga

Ahh, bright eyes. Their latest album, Cassadaga, released April 10, 2007 is taking the band in a more melodic direction. Conor Oberst and Nate Walcott are the only two confirmed band mates. The album is greater than anticipated. It has the lyrical brilliance i associate with Oberst. A lot of people dislike the sound of his voice, the lack of melody, something preventing them from experiencing the beauty. My father being one, says he just can't connect with the music the way i can. He needs to inhale the lyrics through the music, i can grasp the lyrics through the way it's sung, the way it's gift-wrapped in violin and lap steel guitar. So, in the video, when the audience hates bright eyes and throws food at them, lots of fruit, it made even the anti-bright eyes fans give bright eyes a nod of respect for their semi-facetiousness. It's same intricate, lovely indie-folk Oberst has been creating for years. But this album, is certainly more mature. Conor's voice is achy, melodic, relaxing. Though Bright eyes started as merely Conor Oberst, we cannot forget all those who contribute to these beautiful noises. Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott, as well as others from the saddle creek family, and then some. The album itself tells a story of a religious journey. The beginning of the album starts with a women who appears to be a psychic or someone who connects with the dead. She's telling the person on the receiving end to take a trip to Cassadaga. Saying "Cassadaga, oh yeah, that's where you're going to find the center of energy and they've got those in Arizona too." The album is different, mature, but so familiar. My favorite thing about Bright Eyes is i don't feel any connection to where i am at the time I'm listening to them, meaning, i could be anywhere, unhappy, uncomfortable, in an awkward place, in a bad situation, but listening to bright eyes takes me to a while new place. Nothing around me matters, the twangy, folk guitars and unusual instruments make me relaxed, content- absorb me. This is an album you could never get sick of. Every time you listen to it, you notice something new. Conor Oberst is consistently unpredictable. Four winds, also on the 'Four Winds' EP, is a prime example of the country-folk crossover that consumers and hypnotizes me. Make a plan to love me, No One Would Riot for less, cleanse song, and lime tree are delicate, enticing songs. Whereas Hot knives, Classic Cars, and Middleman are more fast paced and melodic. Maria Taylor appears in the Cassadaga music video, drumming, the video itself is interesting and shows good character on Oberts's part. Many people i know just can't wrap their head around bright eyes. Oberst'sI've actually been able to sleep. Put Bright Eyes's Cassadaga on your ipod and let visions of front man, lovely Conor Oberst dance in your head.

Lois Lowry at the Letters About Literature Award Ceremony.

So, i went to the award ceremony. OKAY, i have a lot to sort through, my head is going at hyper speed so I'll plainly list them below:

• Lois Lowry was a judge and another lady who i talked to because Lois had left as soon as the ceremony finished said everyone favored my letter.
• the whole trip was arduous because when i get nervous, i vomit, and i didn't want to vomit.
• The whole Boston trip in full detail
• what prizes/ certificates i won.

So, Lois was a judge and at the ceremony she got up and spoke about when she first became a writer. Obviously she had natural born talent because her writing is so amazing. She was in her 30's it was 1974 and her school age children had gone off to school as her husband to work. Her children had left some scrambled eggs on the table and she went outside to scrape them into the big dog's bowl. But when she walked outside a smell was so fierce and powerful it hit her "like electric shock" It was November and there were leaves on the ground and apples still on the trees but they were rotten and pruning. Her family had a big pumpkin they had carved which was rotting and the smell brought her back, to a day in November with the same exact smell. She was sitting in a car with a stranger, yet this stranger wasn't a stranger. It was her father, who had just gotten back from World War Two. She sat with her father and on this day, her relationship with her father changed. Her feelings towards him and his to her. Back to 1974, after scarping the eggs and feeling this extraordinary smell, she took out her old typewriter and wrote a letter to her friend carol explaining her feeling and relating back to her story,. This 'Carol' was a newspaper editor and told Lois she needs to send that to a magazine because someone would publish it, so after revising it, Lois sent it to a magazine. Someone read her story, called her and asked her to write a book. I know i should want this to happen to me, but i just can't imagine having it that easy. Not to say Lois wasn't deserving, she's proved that with her wild imagination and stories that captivate you with their character's thoughts. She's a brilliant writer. So, after meeting (and being kissed by) Gale Canderas my state senate, and meeting Angelou puppolo Jr, a state Representative, we walked around Boston a little bit, which makes me think it'd be such a cool place to live. SO many interesting nooks and crevices of history. So then we ate at the cheers restaurant and drove home.