The Muse of Procrastination

Last Monday, the power at my house was out for nearly eight hours. Fortunately, about four of those hours coincided with daylight. So, since it was a school night, I was working on homework. I had finished everything except for English 11 AP journal for the day. It was a free write, and I wanted to come up with a really good prompt / topic. The journal revision would be due on Wednesday; this was my opportunity to come up with something incredible to turn in.

I sat down - or rather jumped down - on my bed, stretched out on my stomach, crossed my ankles, and thought about what to write. I tapped my pencil against the notebook, looked out the window, twirled my hair around my finger. Now, not sure if you know this, but I love to design things, especially rooms and houses. I had had a new house design in my head for days but hasn't had the motivation or time to draft it on paper. Obviously, instead of working on the journal, I jotted down a sketch of the house. This absorbed me for quite a while. When I realized just how desperately I was procrastinating on this simple assignment, I decided I needed liquid inspiration in the form of tea. I flew downstairs, English 11 journal and creative comp journal (from last year) both tucked under my arm. Once I was situated in the sun-flooded kitchen with a veritable bowl of holiday tea (by the by, 10/10 would recommend holiday tea), I flipped through my creative comp journal and read the various prompts. I came across at least three things that would make a great start to a poem - but no: I had to focus on this free topic journal, not poetry. I continued to think and was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the kitchen: the light, the tea, the colors, the warmth. This would be great stuff for another poem, I thought. Hurriedly, I scribbled down some words that captured the scene. Mentally closing the poetry section of my brain, I turned back to the task at hand... Only for my mind to stray to yet another distraction: piano. Fortunately, or unfortunately as I thought then, I soon remembered that this was impossible since my piano is electric and I was lacking - you guessed it - electricity. I nursed my tea, looking out the kitchen window and not writing a single word on the page open before me. My tea eventually depleted, I trudged back upstairs to my room and fell face down on my bed. "Forget it," I said, and threw my hands in the air. (I just want to point out that I was still face down on my bed when I threw my hands in the air. Yeah, I don't recommend it. (Unlike holiday tea.)) With that excellent devil-may-care attitude, I buckled down and wrote about whatever for ten minutes.

The point I'm trying to make here is not a how-to guide on procrastinating on the actual easiest assignment ever. (I wonder how many people I've fooled...) The point is that, while I am definitely a big fan of technology, sometimes it gets in the way of my creativity. It's so much easier to fall into another mindless website for hours instead of doing something that I really want to do but that takes effort. Part of it, of course, is the fact that I was trying to avoid writing the journal. But the bigger part is that said procrastination inspired me to work on things I hadn't for a long time. Additionally, I came up with a to-do list of creative things that require wifi. Have I accomplished everything on that list now that I've had power for a week? Are you kidding? Of course not. I got sucked back into the world of 2014 when I went to ballet at 7 on that same Monday. But, even though I haven't checked everything off that list, those eight hours without power prompted me to check off a few.

In other news, we are officially into Christmas - and Hanukkah - and just holiday in general - season! So, in the spirit of that, not only do I recommend holiday tea, I also would encourage you to listen to Straight No Chaser's Christmas album (Christmas Cheers), their Christmas Can-Can and Twelve Days of Christmas in particular. I promise, the Twelve Days of Christmas is not what you're expecting. 

Hope everyone is enjoying their last bit of break!

~ Maria

Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day eating several rounds of delicious food with their friends and family.  I wanted to share a story my mom sent to me today about being thankful.  Have a fabulous break.

-Sarah

The Hand

At first it sounded like a Thanksgiving story, but the more I reflected on it, the more appropriate it seemed for any time of the year. The way I heard it, the story went like this:

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks. But they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

-- Steve Goodier

Hey Everybody!

How's it going?  Looking forward to Thanksgiving?? :)

During this busy week before break, we all deserve to sit back, relax, and enjoy a few minutes of fun. Or rather, get up and dance like nobody's watching.

I love this -- it's a great reminder to get out of our comfort zones, let loose, and give yourself and others a boost of happy.
Enjoy!

Emma P.

A throwback to a Freshman me

God!

When am I getting there? This is just not fast enough.

Seriously.

My feet are tapping the floor, and my knees are bouncing.

These seats with their color like the skin of an elephant and texture like a cow's dried hide don't make my wait any easier. There is constant chatter; the teens yelling and begging, and the rush of the fast wind in through the windows.

My impatience grows. Why must this feel like an addiction?

I try to put my mind off of it; I make attempt to think about anything but it. Alas, I cannot; I am mentally crippled. There is a girl sitting in the seat next to mine texting on her phone with a grin on her face. There is a guy behind me guffawing with his wide open mouth, which is the size of a basketball. I am filled with curiosity - are they too victims of addiction?

I rub my face and place my cold fingers over my tired eyes. I command myself to let any other thought through, except what I know what I want to think.

I look up and an explosion of thrill races from my stomach to my throat. A wicked smile settles itself on my face as the vehicle comes to a smooth stop. I take off walking at lightning speed. As I slide to a sudden stop at the door, I fumble with the tangled keys. I forcefully rip apart the mess of headphones and flick away the gum wrappers, to let the keys drop into my hands.

The day is clear. The fast wind slows down to a breeze, and melts across the back of my neck. I open the door with a click; I shove it forward, and let myself in. The backpack slides down my arm to land on the floor. I kick off my shoes and march off towards the kitchen.

I'm here; it lies in this room less than five feet from me. The excitement is unreal. I grab the cabinet handle and pluck it open to reveal the contents. I have sighted God.

I pluck it off the shelf; I pry open the lid. Goodness gracious. The aroma of it swirls its way into my nostrils, and if I closed my eyes I would be in heaven. I open the drawer, find a stainless steel spoon, and dig into it. The spoon slides into the dark brown, heavy, cream-like paste. I pull the spoon back up and close my eyes and take a huge lick. My brain hallucinates, the enzymes prepare themselves, my tongue salivates; it's a 4th of July in mouth!

Aah. Nutella tastes so good.

---

It seems to me my interests and tastes have barely changed since freshman year. I still die over Nutella all day, everyday. The Nutella Pretzel Milkshake from Burgatory mmhmm I dream of bathing in it. Anyways, Nutella is life. What makes you feel this way?

See you later,

J.R.

Tapestry Open Mic!

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to post a reminder that Friday, November 21st is the day of this year's first Tapestry Open Mic.  The event is open for all students, so please bring your pieces to read!  Music is also a major theme of the Open Mic, and we hope that some of you bring your musical talents here as well.  Because some students have previously expressed difficulties in starting to write for open mics, I have written a list of prompts here to help the creative process along.  The Open Mic's theme is "The Five Senses", but it is in no way limited to that.  Write about anything that interests you!

Writing Prompts:

Poetry:
Write about your environment outside.  Focus on small details and general feelings.  For poems like this, the haiku format is very helpful.

Write a rhyming poem about the changing seasons.  What about each season is unique and interesting to you?

Write about a favorite fall activity, and why you like it.  Haikus are also good for this, but rhyming poetry might add some humor to the piece.

 Short Stories:
Write a horror story!  Although it's a little past Halloween, a good ghost story is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Write a short story about a walk in the woods, using sensory descriptions. 

Write a story from the perspective of an object found in nature, like an acorn, leaf, or snowflake.  You could also write from the perspective of an animal, like a chipmunk or squirrel. 

Remember, don't be too constrained by rigid prompts!  Remember to think outside the box and plan your writing creatively.

- David Han