Candy blog entry number 9

I finished Candy by Kevin Brooks, and I didn't love the ending. I mean, I didn't figure that everything would end happily, but I don't feel that I was satisfied. Mainly, because I think that the final outcome of the situation was left for you to decide, and to be realistic, Candy and Joe would probably never share a happy life together. Joe ruined his chance with the band, although I could see them wanting him to come back, since he did create the song Candy which proved to help their popularity. I think that when Iggy came to get Candy that he really would have killed Joe, even though he said he wouldn't, Iggy wasn't stupid, and I think that even though Candy said that Iggy wouldn't have killed Joe, I think that Joe would have put himself in harms way, not that he hadn't already. I thought that Candy did an excellent job killing Iggy and some of his men, and I think that she made the right choice knocking Mike out, because he would have probably been a hassle, and caused her to doubt herself. She was really brave to kill Iggy, but I wonder what will happen to her prostitute friends. Will they be angry that they lost there pimp because of Candy? Or will they be thankful? These desperate women are still addicted, even though Candy isn't, so I figure many of them will move onto find different men to provide for them. Candy on the other hand I feel will go back to her parents, because they want her back, and at one point she says how she wants things to go back to normal, and go back to the way that they used to be. I think that subconsciously she has chosen that. I think that Joe and Candy will see each other again one day, but I have this feeling that Joe is going to move on, because he feels that Candy is over, although it was magical, it's over. And I think that Candy will find a boyfriend or two, but eventually they will cross paths again, and possibly start from the beginning. I enjoyed Candy, and there were many themes intertwined in the novel, and I found myself seeing how people could take these themes and see them different ways, which makes this book attractive to a large variety of people. 

Candy blog entry number 8

The portion of the book that I read for this blog entry was dramatic in it's plot line. Joe skips school while his dad is out of town and goes to save Candy from her life. He wants to help her, although neither Candy or Joe understand why. This part of the book tells you something more is coming, but we don't know if it'll be for the good or for the bad. Candy and Joe also go up to Joe's cabin and she decides that she is going to quit using heroine, and Joe promises that he will do his best to help her. When Candy uses last it's the last time Joe sees one of her heart breaking smiles for a long time. Candy's withdrawal symptoms are severe, as expected, and at one point she tries to leave, and she kicks Joe in the groine. She cries and looks absolutely terrible. She sweats and freezes. She sleeps restlessly. She screams for help, and thinks that she is dying. When Candy attempts to leave Joe tells her that she can't go back to Iggy because he would kill her, and she says that she would somehow find a different way to get by. Although, she says this I think that she would end up in the same sort of situation, an account of Iggy knowing everyone. Candy also tells Joe the story of what happened to her. The root of her problem was truly jealousy and exclusion. I really do wonder if she will ever return to her parents, or what she will do after she is clean. The book keeps foreshadowing that Candy is going to somehow leave, and since Joe is telling this story as if it happened in the past, I'm think that the last few chapters could be him going and finding Candy in her modern life today, and possibly even talking to her again. I'm actually kind of scared that something terrible will happen to Candy, because at one point Joe does have to return to his normal life, and speaking of normal life, I think that Joe might get kicked out of his band. I hope he doesn't get kicked out of the Katies because they were doing well, and although Candy is important, so is his careeer. I also wonder what Joe's father is going to say to him once they both return home, because Joe's father knows that Joe isn't home. One thought that I kept pondering upon, was what if Iggy hurt Gina, I mean Joe hasn't talked to Gina for so long, and there are all these mysterious messages that Joe keeps getting at the house, which I feel probably have to do with Iggy. This is probably the climax of the story, because so much is going on, and I feel like there are so many conflicts that affect each other, I sure hope things pull together for the better.

Candy blog entry number 7

This chapter of Candy was filled with action and drama. For a first note, I was thoroughly surprised that Joe drank so much during this chapter, and I found myself nervous that they would perform terribly because of the alcohal and drug abuse. I think up until this point I saw Joe as a goodie-goodie-two-shoes kind of guy. But, this showed me that he had a rebellious side to him to, and it made Candy and him as a couple a clearer, more possible, couple in my mind. The drama that happened with Mike was traumatic, and I'm probably going to read forward and figure out what happened with him. Iggy clearly had something to do with it, but I'm just wondering what exactly Iggy was thinking, and what exactly Iggy hurt Mike for. I'm guessing that it had to do with Mike sticking up for someone. The concert went well, and this made me feel happy, because for some reason I feel Joe's fate feels like it depends a lot on it. I felt like it wasn't realistic when Joe had the guts to actually sing the song he wrote about Candy right when he saw her in the audience. Realistically, he would have froze up, and taken a minute to build his confidence again. But, then again in moments when you are performing, you can always find a way to get by when you really are under enough pressure. Performing seems to bring people to higher level off awarness.

Candy blog entry number 6

In the chapter of Candy, by Kevin Brooks, that I read today, Joe is dealing with some of the consequences of his day at the zoo with Candy. He comes home to fuming father, because he was late home, and his sister reported to the father what she thought he was doing. Gina told her dad that he had something important that the Katies (his band) and him had to work on. During the lecture that Joe's dad was giving him, Joe starts to get really emotional, as a kid normally does when they get yelled at. For the blog entry today I decided to pick out a quote from this chapter and reflect on it and connect to it.
"I looked at him, wanting to hate him but knowing I couldn't. He was my dad. Whatever I felt about him, I couldn't hate him. I oculd hate his stupid reasoning, though, the way he treated me like a kid but expected me to behave like an adult. Why can't you make up your mind, Dad? I wanted to say. Either threat me like a kid or treat me like and adult, but don't keep treating me like something in between."
This is exactly what I feel a lot of kids our age have to deal with. I mean it's crazy to expect a person to deal with being treated like a child and act like an adult. I feel that kids should be guided and helped through their adolesence, but it's completely unreasonable to be controled. And it's completely unreasonable to be babyed and then act like and adult.
When I read this, I stopped to reread, because a lot of us kids don't know exactly what it is that we don't like about the way our parents treat us, and this stuck a needle right on the problem.
I also realize that when kids say that they hate their parents, they don't really hate them, well in most cases at least, because what they really hate is the attitude their parent has towards them, or even the attitude that their parents have in general. It takes a lot for a person to truly HATE their parents.

Candy blog entry 5

Candy's character has become really intriguing and mysterious, so I decided that I would write a letter to Candy, asking her a few things, and telling her a few things that I think that if I actually met her I would say.
Dear Candy,
I'm so happy to write to you, because I have soooooooooooooo much to ask you. So, you told Joe that he didn't want to know about you, I'm just wondering what exactly don't you want Joe to know about you. I mean, are you actually a prostitute, or does it just appear like that? And, what do you think Joe would do if he knew that you were? Also, what were you thinking when you kissed Joe, I mean do you just like the kid, do you think that you two would ever actually work out???
I was also wondering if you could tell me what's so terrifying about Iggy? What does he do to you, I mean it's clear that he has some type of control over you.
At the zoo, when you were with Joe, why did you go and drug up? Do you drug up whenever something overwhelming or stressful comes your way? Or when bad memories come up? Because if that is the case, I'm sure people would say that you need help, the real question is, do you want help, or do you like the way your life is now?
One last question I have for you is about your past, I mean, what happened that led you up to where you are today?

Candy blog entry number 4

Candy, as a character, is really starting to grow on us, and her mysterious nature is partially what makes this novel intriguing. Although, it is almost clear that she is a prostitute that has a drug problem, what is mysterious about her is why she is so attracted to Joe. I mean, we learn that she has lived in one of the richest areas in town... So, that kinda cancels out the idea that she just wants me for money. In chapter five Candy seems really innocent, just because of her reaction to all of the animals at the zoo, and how she is so amazed. Except, at the end of the chapter where she dissapears to the bathroom for a long time, where I assume that she is taking drugs. I think this because she comes out changed. Her pupils are shrunken, and she is all giggly and gitty. She can't even complete one phrase when she is talking to Joe after she comes out of the bathroom. The last line of this chapter leaves us at a point where we aren't certain as to what comes next. I think that she may try to have sex with him, because she is high, but I don't know, because it all seems so fast. I mean, this is only his first date with Candy, and although she has her problems, she seems to be different around him. When Candy and Joe were talking about themselves and Candy bluntly told Joe that he didn't want to know about her, it almost justified everything we are led to believe about Candy, and the kind of life she lives. It also leaves us wondering about what Candy lives through, and what secrets she tries so hard to hide.

Candy blog entry number 3

For this blog entry I feel it would be appropriate to write a letter to Joe, because he really seems to need advice and he seems to be a little bit lost. He's having trouble with Candy, because when he got home that Sunday night he found Candy's number in his pocket, and at first he wants to call, but then he chickens out, and keeps postponing the time that he's going to call her, and when he finally does they set up a date to go to the zoo together (it was just something that came to mind, and he accidentaly said it out loud). The next day he is SUPER DUPER happy and at ease. I stopped reading at the point where he is about to skip school (with the help of his older sister) and go see Candy.
Dear Joe,
I know it must be hard to be a guy in a situation that you are in, because you really seem to like her, and it's hard to see people you like live a different way than you do. I mean let's face the facts... Candy is a prostitute and you are a regular kid who goes to school, and plays in a band. She's a prostitute Joe. Now, it's not wrong of you to become friends with her and it's not even wrong to date her, just try to limit your feelings for her because it would be very easy for you to get hurt in the kind of world she lives in. There are so many dangers and so many things that Candy has to deal with, and once you love someone it's hard to turn back. Love lasts. So try your hardest to be sweet, but, I know this sounds crazy, DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH CANDY. I'm afraid what would happen to your heart if you did.
Best wishes,
your friend

Candy blog entry number 2

For this blog entry I'm going to just say some of my thoughts and insights to Candy.
I think that so far the character of Candy has been the most developed, even more than Joe Beck. I mean, we have been introduced indirectly to him, since it is his story that he is telling. Candy appears sweet, yet we know that there has to be something wrong, especially when the tall dark man named Iggy comes into the scene. He is described as intimidating, but I really couldn't feel the fear that Joe Beck described so clearly. He's supposedly large and has soul less eyes, but I still couldn't feel the intimidation, I don't know if it was just the description, or if there was more to it, like my prior experiences and the people I know. I mean, I have a family friend who the way that they described Iggy, was how I picture this family friend, and this friend is light and friendly. The reaction that Candy has to Iggy is what worried me, I mean what this man must be doing to a girl who seems outgoing and striking to make her react so helplessly and shy is unthinkable. In this chapter we also get to see how innocent Joe Beck is. I mean, honestly, they are talking about how much he paid for her, and he still doesn't seem to fully catch onto the fact that Candy is a ho, and to be blunt, Iggy is her pimp.

Candy blog entry number 1

For this blog entry I decided to analyze the intro of the book, because it sparked a lot of questions for me. I also thought it was written differently compared to other books.
"It's hard to imagine life before Candy. Sometimes I sit here for hours, staring into the past, trying to remember what is was like, but I never seem to get very far. I just can't see myself without her. About the best I can manage is the last half hour before we met, the last few moments of my pre-Candy existence, when I was still just a boy... just a boy on a train, a boy with a lump, a boy in a starry black hat.
I was innocent then.
Just a boy.
On a train.
With a lump.
And a hat.
That was all the world I needed to know." (pg. 1)
This introduction is where I stopped reading last night, because I decided that ti would be an interesting entry, to have some of my pre-reading thoughts.
Some automatic pondering were:
Why is it so hard to imagine life before Candy?
Who is Candy?
Who's the narrator?
Did Candy cause the narrator to lose his innocence?
Why does he have a lump?
How did the narrator meet Candy?
Some things that stuck out to me were:
Repetition is used to make us see what the the author wants us to see.
For example, the author writes how the speaker is simply a boy, many times within this short passage. The fact that he is on a train is repeated, so is the fact that he is wearing a hat, and that he has a lump.
Another thing is that the author listed to obvious, and oddly enough, I found myself with a pretty clear image of the scene where the boy is on the bus.
Something else that I noticed was how this quote seems to be bringing us back into the past, and it seems to be setting us up for the story to be told to us.
The tone of the quotation is very matter -of- fact, and almost blunt. It seems simple, although the style could completely change after the actual story of Candy is being told to us. Because, again, this seems to be leading us into the "flashback".

New Moon

Twilight was an incredible novel, with great characters, great plot, and interesting ideas on every page. I was really excited to get New Moon.
I am going to write a letter to Jacob, following the same pattern as Bella and Edward. Even though I am half way through this novel, and just getting to know who Jacob is, I decided that I am going to write a letter to him.

Dear Jacob,
I want to give you some advice about Bella. First off, she is in a very unstable state, so it could be very easy for her to use you as a crutch or an easy out of her suffering. So don't get too connected to her because something could happen...
Second of all if your going to be something thats bad for her, I don't want her heart broken, again. I think that you should be careful about what you do and say around your friends, and I have a quick question: why don't you talk to your old friend anymore?
Write back soon!
Sincerly,
your friend.

Blog post

For this blog post I decided to write a letter to another character in Twilight. Edward seemed like a fitting character to write a letter to since he plays a major role in the life of Bella. I am going to be writing to Edward as if I was his vampire sister from long ago.

Dear Edward,
You tell me about this Bella girl, but I have to admit that I am a little bit concerned for her safety and YOUR safety. I am scared for her safety, obviously, because at any moment you could loose control of yourself and end up hurting her or worse. (dun, dun, dunn) Sorry that wasn't a good joke, but I could see this hurting you too because if you hurt her, you will never get to live that down, literally, you are immortal. Also, if you think about this relationship about Bella in the long run, you are going to live forever and stay young forever while she is going to grow old and eventually die unless something happens. Not to throw any crazy ideas, but what if Bella become a vampire with you? You guys could live forever. I know that this might be a little far set but I am sure that Bella has been thinking about it for a while now. Since Bella is in love with you and wants to be with you forever its just as hard for her to imagine life without you, as it is for you to imagine life without her. Edward, write back soon!
Love you lots,
Your sister

blog entry

I started reading Twilight, and OH BOY... it's addictive. For this blog entry I decided that I would write the main character, Bella a letter, as if I were her best friend back in Phoenix.

Hey Bella!!!!
What's up? Well, why do I even bother asking, I know what's up, Edward, this vampire kid. I know you tell me all this amazing stuff about him to me and everything, but I almost find it too good to be true. I mean, let's be frank, you leave Phoenix with Jimmy Johnson, the nerdiest kid in the school, being the only boy that shows interest in you, and then you go to Forks, and meet a beautiful god like creature who's deeply in love with you. I mean, not to mention the other bajillion guys that are after you... It's crazy, and I really want to come meet Edward, and I really really really want to see you as an in love crazy pheen!!! Hahaha just kidding. Anyways, how's Jess, and that one other chick who's jealous and doesn't like you? Is it getting any less akward with Charlie, and does he know about Edward?????
Oh my goodness! That question just has me wondering, now I'm worried, would he get mad? Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness! Don't get into trouble. So, I have a few questions, just to be safe, do vampires normally lead their prey on for a long time, and make their prey fall in love with them because if that's what they do, then I think that you might be being deceived. Hopefully not, and if that is the case, it sounds like it's too late, he's already got ahold of you, and nothing ever could scare you away now, nothing at all. Good luck, and write back soon, I miss you a lot!

Love ya' like a sista',
Your Best Friend

blog #4

Tonight I read an article on why teens drink, and I thought it would be fun to write about this subject from a little kids point of view. Sorry if it's a little unclear or goes of topic, I'm going to try to stay in character and little kids tend to be a little unclear and they also tend to go off topic quite a bit.

Big kids drink beer for lots and lots of different reasons. First of all, they sometimes are eating good foods, like Doritos, Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, Fritos, pizza rolls, donuts, and even lollipops, and then after they eat all of those good foods, they're most of the time pretty thirst, so they pour themselves a cup of bear to drink after they eat all of their good food.

Another reason why big kids drink is because the beer tastes good. I bet that the beer tastes like a mix of Sprite, with orange juice, and apple juice, no milk though becasue milk doesn't taste good with juice. So, of coarse, if the beer tastes good they are going keep drinking more and more of it, I mean that's how I am with lemonade and root beer.

Since big kids are always doing stuff like, painting there nails, playing sports, writing, typing, eating, going to the mall, skateboarding, biking, learning how to drive, dancing, singing, laughing, smiling, talking on the phone, typing on the computer, they probably get pretty tired. The beer makes the big kids wake up and have lots of fun with their friends. If all the big kids are doing it then they can have even more fun.

My mommy said that I shouldn't ever drink beer though, because it makes you sick after, and it's not good for you. I think that she didn't want to be mean to the bad guys, but we all know that bad guys drink beer. I don't know if it's the beer that makes that bad guys to bad stuff, but BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!!!!

The real article just summarized influence caused by parents, how drinking is considered to be cool, espapism, problems in love life, and addiction towards drinking. I found this informative essay to be brief and to the point, and I agreed with most of what the writer was saying, although these ideas were definetly not foreign to me.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-teenage-drinking.html

third post

Dear hunter,
I think it was was brave and kind of you to listen to the fire, it was also very trusting. I thought that the fire was going to be something bad, and although in the end the fire did turn out to devour the forest, it was generally a good thing that it came to be. I really enjoyed the myth that you played a part in, but I had a few questions about you. Didn't you think about the consequences of sharing the roasted meat with your wife? Of coarse, if you bring back a new invention she is going to wonder where it came from, if not tell someone else about it (like she did in the myth). I mean I'm surprised that your wife herself didn't come spy on you, or beg you to tell her where the roasted meat came from. That would be just like if I was married and my husband came home with a shape shifter, I would find a way to find out where he got this marvelous machine, and I would be tempted to tell my friends, especially if he never asked me not to tell anyone. I find this very hard to believe that you couldn't see through this. As for the fire, when the fire talked to you did it have a hissing voice? I ask this because as I was reading your tail this is how I imagined the fire's voice, and it always has been how I thought the voice of fire would sound. Although you may not have thought through your generosity, thank you so much for discovering it for our world, you truly have made all the difference for human kind.
Sincerely,
A fellow friend

Second post- outside reading.

This time I read another Native American myth, this one is called morning star. It's about a girl called Feather Woman, who wants to marry I man who is as radian as the morning star (she decided one morning when she was watching to sky), and then he comes down because he saw her gazing at him, and he brings her back to his home in the sky, there they get married, although the sun, his father, isn't so happy with it. This is becasue his father hates earth people, he thinks that they are no good, and that they can't be trusted. On the other had Morning Star's mother, the Moon, loves the girl. One day Feather Woman's curiosity gets the best of her and she looks under a sacred root, then the Sun finds out and says that she must return home, with her son. This she does, and she is miserable when she returns, because she was truly in love with Morning Star, and loved her life in the Star Country (The place that Morning Star, Moon, and Sun lived) and then eventually, because of her misery she died, with a broken heart.
I thought that this story was really sad, except it showed us how important obedience was to the American Indians. It shows us a lot about the style of writing, which I am learing to like more and more, it feels very poetic, although it is just a short story (well myth).

Welcome to my BLOG!

Hey everyone! WELCOME to my blog. I hope that you find something here somewhat interesting or somewhat readable. Some posts will probably be pretty boring and uninsightful, but hopefully some of the other ones will be at least a little deeper and a little more interesting. Enjoy the page! Thanks, Makeena.