"In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away." -Shing Xiong *** "Do not go where the path may lead; instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson *** "Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." -G. Randolf *** "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -E.M. Forster *** "Imagnination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited, imagination encircles the world." -Albert Einstein *** Defintion of Suburbia: A place where they cut down trees and name streets after them. -(Unknown, found on sticker) :p *** "A lie goes halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." -Winston Churchill***"Love is the irresistible desire to be desired irresistibly." -Louis Ginsberg ***"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." -Martin Buber



Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tinker Falls (review, rating)

Tinker Falls
Tully, NY
Hiked: June 18th, 2011
Reviewed: June 30th, 2011

Interaction: 5 stars
Scenery: 5 stars
Diversity: 2 stars
Accessability: 2 stars
Size: Small
Overall: 4 stars

Being younger and perhaps a little more adventurous, I personally loved Tinker Falls, and I really can't wait to go back.
Tinker includes a short, ten minute trail leading up to Tinker Falls; an elegant cascade that you can walk behind, and if you're careful, you can even touch it. However, there is a moderate climb involved to reach it that I would not usggest to the elderly, young children, or the handicapped. You can also continute to climb to reach the top of the falls for a splendid view, a fantastic picnic spot, and to access more trails. Again, I stress that these climbs are not reccommended for the people I mentioned. This is why I rated it with a low accessability; for those who are incapable of the climbs, your visit to Tinker will likely be short and disappointing.
The trail leading up the falls
 The creek along the trail
 At the base of the falls
 The climb up to the falls
 Tinker Falls
It looks small here, I guess it is much bigger in the spring than in the summer. However if it's a lot bigger in the spring, I don't know how safe it would be to get close to it at that time.

Midnight Mango (a poem)

Midnight Mango
Written June 30th, 2011
There is a fruit, waiting in the fridge
An international treat
That I’m particularly fond
It will call me at midnight to eat

Quite a nuisance to peel and carve
But I smile as I set it on the board
It’s a task I’ve come to enjoy
For at the end is the sweetest reward

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Steel Darkness (a poem)

Steel Darkness
Written June 29th, 2011
There’s a ’55 Ford Thunderbird
That follows me wherever I go
It’s old and rusty, but it runs like new
And it’s much closer than it was a few years ago
My persistent shadow, hovering nearby
It’s been there as long as I can remember
Trailing behind as I mow the lawn
Idling quietly while I rake leaves in September
Sometimes it snarls with a loud engine rev
And I jump out of my skin
It regards me with bright, stoic headlights
And I sense a tainted, evil soul within

Wolf Moon (a poem)

Wolf Moon
Written June 28th, 2011
Your children stay up late
Beneath the covers; wide-eyed they shiver and quake
Envisioning the stories told
Horrors about me; folklore of old
The full moon flies in the night sky
If they're just myths, why do you lock your door, why?
There's a drawer where you keep silver and holy water
Afraid I'll come snatch your son? Your daughter?

Monday, June 27, 2011

No Shirt/Long Lovin (lyrics, a poem, a re-make)

No Shirt/ Long Lovin
Re-Make of Cake's song:
Short Skirt/ Long Jacket
Written June 28th, 2011
I want a guy with a heart like a lion
I want a guy who knows what I love
I want a guy with style that shows
And eyes that sizzle from above

I want a guy with the right intentions
Who's funny and attentive
And hot as a sun
He's playing with my heartrate
He's messing with my hair
He's touring my body
And he's only just begun

I want a guy with no shirt and a looooong smile

Letchworth State Park (review, rating)

Letchworth State Park
Castile, NY
Hiked: June 27th, 2011
Reviewed: June 27th, 2011

Scenery: 5 stars
Diversity: 5 stars
Interaction: 3 stars
Accessability: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Size: Large

Letchworth is an incredibly large park with its own extensive road system. The park contains 14,350 acres of land along the Genesee River.
A visitor to the park can get more than enough scenery viewing just by driving through the park. The roads run along the edge of the cliff through the park, and there are frequent pull overs along the way where you can stop and check out the view. Most are equipped with binoculars (25 cents) and picnic areas that include charcoal grills.




Saturday, June 25, 2011

Broken (a short story)

Broken
written June 24th, 2011

Mason, it’s so beautiful out here, I texted a message along with the picture I had taken. Wish you were here.
I hit the send button, and then tucked my phone away in my pocket. I stood at the edge of the cliff, following the sweeping land slide with my eyes down to the roaring river at the bottom. It was spring, and the water level was higher than usual, dark and muddy, full of winter debris.
And it was here in this serene place tucked away in the woods, high up on the cliff looking over the whole world (it seemed), that I was at peace.
It was here that I could think, and think in my voice only. With no other influences or voices to distract me or deter me. It was just me, pure and simple.
And I guess that’s why I wanted Mason here. I knew he would appreciate this moment, this philosophical peace, just as much as me.  I could picture him next to me, leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the sky with those bright blue eyes so full of hidden intelligence. He would have a hint of a smile on his lips as he peered at life in its raw form. He loves moments like that, just like me, where things just click and you realize something new about life.  A new philosophy.
We would sit in silence for a while, him and I. Then we would start talking, and we wouldn’t be able to stop. If we had the time to talk about everything we wanted to with each other, we would talk until the day we died. I’m certain of it.
My phone chirped, and I opened up Mason’s response.
Looks awesome. I wish I was there. You always text me awesome things right when I need it, Ava.
I frowned at the last part, and quickly sent a reply:
Why, what’s wrong?
Just…shit at home. Mom.
‘Mom’. That one word explained it all to me. The two of them are always butting heads.
Call me tonight and tell me about it?
I smiled at the reply that came a few moments later.
Was already planning on it :]
I stuffed my phone in my pocket, looking down at my feet, hanging over the cliff edge, swinging back and forth to an unknown beat.
Casting a final glance over the tree tops of the expansive forest, I began the long descent down to the river, a descent I had made many times. I shimmied my way quickly down the sloped cliff-face, my feet and hands knowing where all the holds were from endless repetition of this process.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

(Dear Marius) So Far Away (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
So Far Away
Written on June 23rd, 2011
Two months after the death of Michael J. Hall
On April 23rd, 2011
The lips sing
Releasing the pain
The guitar notes sting
Harsh and lovely, against the grain
The fingers fly
Dancing on those keys
Trumpet call fills the sky
Sharp and noble, this musical plea

Playing these songs
Gives me some closure
On repeat
Over and over
You’re never coming home
But I know
It’s not over
And I’m not alone

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Light in the Fog (a poem)

The Light in the Fog
Written June 20th, 2011
I can see you there
Shimmering somewhere in the shifting abyss
Inviting me with little hands
Materializing, then with a twirl disappearing
Leaving my heart warm
And my cheeks full with a smile
I hang on to this flickering daydream
Like the sunshine dancing on the ocean waves

Friday, June 17, 2011

Discussion with my Father (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011
Posted June 17th, 2011
The other day, my father and I were talking about politics, people, and philosophy, as we often do. During the conversation, I brought up how much money frustrates me and how it has to be the backbone to everything in society. All anyone seems to ever worry about is money, rather than the simple, beautiful things in life.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

My Best Friend (a poem, a dedication)

My Best Friend
Written June 16th, 2011
My best friend
I know you well
Every fall and every swell
Missing you when I'm all alone
And not quite sure if I can make it on my own
My best friend
Always there when I need you most
There are no boundaries, from coast to coast
On the rainy days, when I'm down and blue
All I need is to think of you
My best friend
With your long loveable hair
The way your smile fills the air
We stay up and talk until late
Usually we agree, sometimes we debate
My best friend
You are my long lost twin
We're made up of the same stuff within
When something happens, you're the first I want to inform
You always receive it well, never with scorn
My best friend
You're going to exotic places
Going to accomplish and see many faces
Don't forget me while you're conquering the world
I'll always be rooting you on as your greatness unfurls

My brother,
My hero,
My best friend.

-----
A poem for my best pal :) If you read 'Ice Cold', the character Mason represents the same person as the subject of this poem. Thank you, for always being there for me and being like the brother I never had.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Texting Conversation with a Friend (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011
My friend and I were having a discussion about homosexuality after he said he didn't agree with it, mostly due to, it seemed, his religious beliefs. I do not intend to exploit him or make him look bad by posting about this, I simply wanted to share it. My friend does not, as he said, have a problem with gays and lesbians themselves, as people, but the choice they made. I discussed with him how we think homosexuality comes about; whether it's natural, influenced, or a choice. I think that, depending on the situation, it could be natural or a choice. My friend doesn't think it can be natural. His stance was it is a choice, or if it appears to start from a young age then it was mostly likely influenced by something in the child's life. I think influence can definitely play a huge role, but I believe that there is something in the brain or genetics that can make these influences more, well influential to these certain people than to others. I'm sure there will be lots of scientific studies about this in the future, and I know there are some now even, and I'm anxious to see the results. We also discussed why it was that homosexuality is wrong, based on his beliefs. I would like to share a specific part of the conversation we had. Please feel free to comment on it and leave your thoughts on the subject.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Light Up Mommy (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Light Up Mommy
Written June 12th, 2011
*chk* *chk*
Firelight flicker
Malicious embers glow
Burning up the poison
A serpentine tongue of smoke
Rising from your pale deprived lips
Slithering between your dying teeth
Coating your sickly yellow tongue
And torturing your withered lungs

Saturday, June 11, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Amy and Morgan (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Amy and Morgan
Written June 11th, 2011
Everyone wants to know Amy,
Generous and sweet as can be
Wise for her age and a bright future ahead
Giving up her time to help others instead
She's the one to go to when you're feelin down
She always knows just what to say to turn that frown

But Amy doesn't see herself that way
Up late cryin after what happened today
Walking behind girls down the hall
She heard something not meant for her ears at all
"Amy is so damn fat,
Never seen anyone with rolls like that!"