State of the Union: We're Awesome!!

There's a reason that I have a title as "exotic" as I do.  It's because that is really the vibe that anyone that tuned into the speech got.  Obama's exciting, although superficial statements would catch the attention of anyone that had any pride in their country.  Now when it came to making real points and promises, President Obama was not empty-handed.  He assured that Republicans and Democrats would work together, and that statement was supported by the actions of those respective parties in attendance.  Unlike previous years in which each party would sit separately (a vague way of showing their refusal to agree on any matter), this year the parties mixed and sat together.  I would venture to say this gave a "united" feel to the government of the United States, and probably improved his perception in the eyes of an everyday US citizen.  If the goal of the speech was to give us as citizens a "warm" and "comforting" view of our country's state, then Obama certainly succeeded in that manner.

However....... This is not the purpose of The State of the Union speech.  His sole purpose is to lay out the "state" of our country and how we are doing financially, economically, and socially.  I'm not so sure that this speech accomplished anything more than being a pep talk for the country.  The added facts were superficial and only half-truth.  I mean who really believes that there is as little wrong with the country as President Obama leads us to believe?  I do appreciate the enthusiasm he shows and I feel it is a vital component of a great leader and president.  However, as informed citizens, I feel that we have the right to know to a decent extent the ups and downs of our country at this time.  So if you are seeking information on our current recession, oil prices, or economy struggles, this speech is not the answer.  Although it created excitement for the future of the United States,  it left many questions un-answered and many well-informed citizens shaking their heads.

On Writing -- Toolbox/Part 2

Wow, what a dramatic change I saw in the first third of the book and the second!  Even though King continued to use life examples and such to explain his writing techniques and critiques,  he used them differently in this part of the book.  Personally for me,  all of the information to be taken in about writing skills could get a little bit boring.  But he used blunt humor to really capture my attention and help me stay connected with his explanations.  I found the first part of the book to be more interesting probably because I am more of a simple reader; I don't really like to read ABOUT reading or writing.  It seems almost redundant to me; But at the same time, I see its relevance and I understand that it is important for aspiring writers and readers in general to learn reading and writing skills, especially from as talented of writers as Stephen King.

A very good thing about this part in King's book is that he avoids making the book just another lesson on how to write, like in your standard English class.  He adds in his dislike for things like adverbs and passive voice, and gives advice on how to use your vocabulary.  The personal touch makes it so much more applicable, because often students will zone out on your ordinary literary critiques.  I feel that I can translate an abundance of information from this section into my writing in the weeks to come.

Stephen King: A Different Story to Stardom

In Stephen King's autobiography and self-proclaimed guide for writers, he elaborates on his rise to stardom in the writing business.  In the beginning parts of the book, we really only see his humble beginnings as a writer and how he started off with a small town newspaper and even his brother's small community paper which weren't exactly "mass produced".  I found the approach King took to writing this autobiography very entertaining.  He didn't just write a "trophy case" book, as many famous figures seem to.  He explored through his good times and bad, and added personal detail (sometimes vulgar, haha) to all of those situations.  His writing style leaves you in anticipation of what's going to happen next.  I think this is mostly because he presents how his childhood and early years were not any different then the average person, and the reader can identify with that.  It is especially a phenomenal read for aspiring writers, as it gives them inspiration and shows them that even the most highly prestiged writers come from very humble beginnings.  His humor level gives a loose-ness to the read and helps to  avoid a manual-like experience.  Overall, I came away impressed with the first part of the book and I am left with an eager anticipation of what's to come in this clever and funny autobiography.