Review Week 3

Passing it on (Chinese Proverb)

This was my favorite announcement because it signifies paying it forward. It emphasizes leaving something better for the future of America and the Earth in general. Thanks for reading.

Growth Mindset: Risky Cats

Cat Taking Risks (Islam Abudaoud)

My growth mindset this week is to not live within the boundaries that we are given, but rather be willing to go outside my comfort zone. To be honest, taking this course was way outside my comfort zone. However, now after three weeks of storytelling and blog posts I have really opened up a side of me that I didn't know existed. This is why we take risks, to discover new talents. Thanks for reading.

Famous Last Words: Week 3

This week I did exceptionally well on interpreting the Ramayana. I felt as if I was able to keep track of a majority of the characters in the story. In addition, I was able to remember past characters that again became revelant in later parts of the Ramayana. It is so much easier to understand and interpret the Ramayana when you understand all the small relationships that occur between all of the characters of the story. As I mentioned in my storytelling post, I was shocked at the ending of the Ramayana and felt as if it should've stopped three episodes earlier with Rama being crowned the King of Ayodhya. However, I was able to make up for it with my alternate ending I came up with.

Classes this week in general have started to ramp up in difficulty. I have been unsuccessful in completing any of my homework's in other classes thus far. I am hoping to meet up with some of the other petroleum engineers in this online course and collaborate on how to finish the production engineering first assignment. In addition, I have a lab report that is soon approaching its due date that I want to try and complete as soon as possible. This is of course so I can be free for Super Bowl Sunday and pray a victory for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. On that note I hope the Broncos win so Peyton Manning can retire and go out on top as a hero. Also I don't want his little brother, Eli Manning, to have more Super Bowl rings than him because he is just simply not as likeable.

The best QB ever, Peyton Manning (silverandblueblood)

All in all this past week hasn't been too bad and I'm looking forward to starting our new reading, Mahabharata.

Learning Challenges: Happiness Jar

Happiness Notes (oulbh)

The learning challenge I would like to bring up this week is Happiness. I thought this was a neat idea and will be my new years resolution for next year. I feel as if myself and humans can always remember the bad things in life but often forget the good things that happen to us everyday. We take it for granted or become complacent in the little things others do for us all the time. Thanks for reading and be happy! 

Storytelling Week 2: Quest for the Throne

Pieces of ancient stone tablets that washed up on shores of mainland countries were the only evidence that the island of Mawa existed in the world. A land that was not traceable by explorers, luck, or expert navigation. The gods of the island determined who would and wouldn't stumble upon the sacred land which they protected. Only a special being would stumble upon it.

 

For thousands of years the mysterious island was self-sufficient for its community. Such an island was ruled by a single king who would again and again pass on the throne to his eldest son. However, as greed and power-hungry kings began to come to the throne, the gods of the island grew angry and displeased. Alas, one day the superior god of the island, Mawa, declared a curse on the current king of the island, Zoro. Zoro was unable to have any more children after his first daughter Zamantha. As the years passed Zoro tried and failed to have a son with seven wives of the island. On his death bed, there was a terrible storm that washed away much of the village and kingdom that Zoro and his ancestors had built. However, among the wreckage was a ship that came in from the mighty storm.

The ship was very damaged from the mighty storm and many of the passengers of the ship had washed overboard and drowned. Even much of its corridors and cargo were flooded and damaged. As Zamantha went with her royal patrons to inspect the ship, a lone survivor remained among the wreckage. Persons of the kingdom came to the young man's aid and helped him back to health. Many of the kingdom of the island were afraid of the young man. No one on the island had ever seen anyone else from outside the waters of the kingdom. Even the queen had never seen an outsider but she thought very little of the incident and went on with her daily routine. However, there was one elderly man in the village who could remember an ancient prophecy that greed amongst the throne would trigger extraordinary events. Soon the story passed through the kingdom and the persons of the kingdom were amazed. When Zamantha noticed all the hype of the village and the kingdom, she too became curious. Zamantha ordered her assistant to inform her of the latest news of the village. Upon discovery of the ancient tale, she demanded to see the young explorer from the wreckage at once. As the young man came walking up the steps of the kingdom to the queen's palace, you could see the anxiety of Zamantha. There was a special feeling that overcame her, nothing like she had ever experienced before. Once the young man had gotten close enough to the queen, he bowed. The queen asked him one question and one question only: "Sir, what is thy name?" The young man replied, "Mawa." In complete disbelief, the queen immediately knew this was a message from the gods of the island. She said, "Oh great Mawa, you will be my husband, and thus the new King of the Island of Mawa."




Author's Note: This story was inspired by the story of King Dasharatha and other stories from part A of the Ramayana. The main purpose of the story is about corruption of the throne. Over time Kings of the island are overcome with the effects of greed and too much power. This in turn displeases the gods who protect the sacred island. To fix their problem of the corrupt king lineage, they cast a curse on the current King Zoro. This curse is similar to the problem that King Dasharatha is having. He is unable to have a son in his lifetime. Much of the story from then on is personal material I came up with. For the ending I wanted to leave a cliffhanger of what might happen from here on, but leave the reader with some closure about previous history of the island. This is in turn similar to what I felt after reading section A of the Ramayana. Many new doors were opened but many questions about various plots were answered as well. As the king of the island passes away, the throne is left unfilled. This is different from the Ramyana in which the throne was filled by Rama's brother. However in a way Rama's brother is portrayed as Zamantha as a temporary holder of the throne until Rama comes back. On the day of the death of King Zoro an unexpected ship wreck has occurred on the beach of the island. This prophecy was inspired by Vishvamitra.

Bibliography: Mackenzie, Donald ."King Dasharatha". Indian Myth and Legend. Warwick Goble. (1913). Web Source: Project Gutenberg

Picture Citations:

Island Kingsom

Author: Floato, Flickr

Island Shipwreck Wikipedia

Week 3 Reading Diary Part D

Building the bridge to Lanka.

Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

I enjoy how there was a build-up of suspense in Part B, then a journey in Part C of the Ramayana. Again, the end of Part C has an intense cliff hanger suspense build-up. Followed by in Part D, we see again a long adventurous journey that will take place. I enjoy the various adventures throughout the Ramayana and this was my favorite. Again this was one of the topics I was intrigued by when brainstorming for storybook topics.

• Rama shall not be stopped by any obstacles in between, not even an ocean.
• Sita is forced to see the perish of many soldiers of Rama's army by Indrajit, son of Ravana.
• Along with Ravana's superpowers, he employs his giant brother, Kumbhakarna, to attack the armies of Rama.
• Hanuman miraculousy heals the army of monkeys and bears and saves them from perish with a magical medical mountain.
• Many illusions are used on Rama and Sita to make them give in to their dire hope to be reunited, however nothing prevails.
• The death of Ravana's son, Indrajit, drives Ravana to extreme levels of anger and blood thirsty revenge.
• We see that no matter what Ravana brings to defeat Rama, or anyone in his army, he will not succeed. As the gods have already predetermined that Rama will bring death to Ravana. In which he succeedingly does with none other than the Brahma-weapon.
• Rama and Sita are not immediately reunited, as she seeks first approval by a fire god, Agni, who indeed sets them to be together again.
• Rama returns to Ayodhya just in time to prevent the death of Bharata, his brother, and is finally named King of his rightful throne.
• In a drastic turn of events, Sita is exiled by Rama and then departs the world that is known. And eventually Lakshmana and Rama do the same.

Week 3 Reading Diary: Part C

I am first intrigued about the second half of the Ramayana with the appearance of monkeys as characters. We see them as friends/followers of Rama or even as gods or even enemies. We also find that along Rama’s journey to get back Sita, many enemies are given opportunities to stay out of the way of Rama. Thus far all enemies in the path of Rama that do not stand down have fallen or been defeated. Examples include Sugriva’s brother, Vali, and the foreshadowing of Ravana’s fate. Karma is also reflected here as Rama helps Sugriva claim his throne and in return Sugriva helps Rama with armies to find Sita.

• Rama is asked for help by Sugriva to battle, after learning the past of Sugriva and his brother Vali.
• Wife of Vali foreshadows the fate of Vali with the battle of his brother Sugriva and ally Rama.
• Rama ambushes Vali as foreshadowed.
• We see another role of monkeys, the mahamatras, the high officials of monkey kingdom.
• Rama becomes inpatient on the quest for finding his beloved Sita, His lament is very telling.
• On the quest for Sita Hanuman, one of the army leaders heading to Sri Lanka, faces many challenges along his adventure. However, he does make it to Ravana's palace but does not find Sita immediately.
• Sita is later found guarded by demons in a grove.
• Hanuman is captured but then escapes out of Ravana's court fleeing back to notify Sugriva and Rama of Sita's whereabouts.
• Part C of the reading ends with anger of Ravana at his brother in his words of wisdom. Ravana's brothers fleas the city of Lanka to join Rama's army for war against Ravana.

Sugriva and Rama

Source. Rama and the Monkeys by Geraldine Hodgson (1903)

Week 2 Reading Diary: Part A Devdutt Pattanaik's Video

For the extra credit reading assignment I decided to watch the part A videos by Devdutt Pattanaik. The important or most intriguing sections of the videos to me were:

Cycles

• The Hinduism belief is a continuous process of dying and rebirth
• Urgency is not of importance
• There is certainty in almost nothing, as the creator of the world is the only one who knows anything as completer truth.

Markandeya

• This subject goes along with the Hinduism "cycle" principle as well
• Things are only apparent when beings choose them to be apparent
• For every creation there is a destruction
• There is no stop to the life and death reoccurences, just continuum

Narayan sleeping and waking

• Again repeated is the perception of things are only alive when we are awake
• The sense of god controls when the world is in action or pause.
• A person is not aware when in deep slumber, because the world is unconscious. Similar to the mind of the one unconscious.

Shesha, Vishnu, Brahma seated on sprout of Lotus, Lakshmi, Cycle of Life

(Wikimedia)

Review Week 2

Words of Wisdom: Today's proverb poster is A lion may be beholden to a mouse (an English proverb). Details at the Proverb Lab. This proverb alludes to the Aesop's fable of the lion who showed mercy on a mouse, and so that mouse later freed the lion from a snare, thus returning the favor.

This was my favorite announcement because it ties in with the subject of Karma. The lion is repaid by the mouse on the later date because the lion showed mercy on the mouse at an earlier date.

Famous Last Words Week 2

Famous last words of Books

Justoutsidethebox

This week I was proud of myself in accomplishing both of the reading assignments assigned. It is always a good feeling to get the semester off right and not be behind or piling up late work. I am looking forward to keeping this momentum going through the semester, and it is my goal to not have to do any of the extra credit assignments as replacement grades. I also enjoyed reading the stories of other classmates of Indian Epics this week. I have a few styles of writing that I am again going to try and incorporate in my upcoming writing. I noticed that Susanna used a great deal of dialogue in one of her posts and I want to try and do the same. The hardest part for me is framing the argument, conversation, or commands for the dialogue. In addition, I enjoyed reading a story, by Brooke, of one of the Aesop’s fables. It was also well written and had good use of dialogue throughout the story.

In addition, I felt like I had a good week in my other classes. I actually met two other petroleum engineers taking this online class too, which was neat! We were able to exchange ideas and plans on the idea of starting a storybook versus a portfolio.

Homework has really started to ramp up in my other classes and I am hoping to keep up my writing performance throughout this semester. I am curious to see if I will be able to stick to my original schedule set out at the beginning of the year, or rather just try to get assignments finished whenever I have a breathing moment. My prediction is that the second option will probably be the most likely and I will be scrambling to keep every class balanced. Nevertheless, I am ready for the challenge and anxious to expand my learning. Thanks for reading!

Learning Challenges: Time Managment/Reading

A combination between a Reading pun and Time management Challenge

François Philipp at Flickr

I think this metaphor sends a strong message and is also humorous at the same time. It speaks of the time management part of the H.E.A.R.T acronym. Yesterday is behind us and we can only control today. This is a principle that we should all live by. As silly as it sounds, this perfectly relates to golf. The only shot in golf you can control is the one you're about to hit, therefore there is no point in getting upset about the previous shot or getting worried about the next shot to come. Therefore, don't dwell on the past. Thanks for reading!

Growth Mindset: Impressions

Don't be fooled by first Impressions!!

This image is from cheezburger.

My growth mindset challenge was to encourage myself to not live by the principle of judging people by first impressions. Since this is the beginning of the semester, it is a good time to make a few more friends and try to keep and open, negative free mind about people when you meet them for the first time. I believe that living by this principle alone can help us as a society to understand each other and better get along! Thanks for reading!

Brainstorming Storybook Topics

Most of my interest into the following topics was queued from research/reading through the public domain edition of the Ramayana or just fascination with the certain type of stories these topics appear in. Additionally, I found some information through Wikipedia about Karma and its role throughout the Ramayana and moreover Hinduism.

Rakshasas and Asuras (Demons)

The “Vishvamitra” episode is what first intrigued me to this possible topic. I enjoyed the way this story was written and how the evil rakshasas were portrayed. In addition, I found it fascinating on how the two demons Maricha and Subahu could only be defeated by non-other than Rama. I also found it entertaining on how Rama defeated the female rakshasa with his mighty bow and hefty arrows. I am curious to see how future encounters with Rakshasas might be defeated or may even prevail over the protagonist in the story. I would like to learn more about how these creatures are developed and which ones have different weaknesses. 

Rama and Lakshmana battle the rakshasas (Wikimedia)

Warriors, Battles and Weapons

This topic intrigues me just because of all the obvious manly reasons. I like stories with confrontation and spectacular battles. I also enjoy the methods in which different warriors must be taken down. There is a strategy when it comes down to which weapon must be taken into battle to take down a certain antagonist. This topic also somewhat ties into the Rakshasas and Asuras topic I am a fan of.

Geography Stories: Traveling India

This topic interests myself because I have an adventurous personality that needs to be satisfied. I also think that the Himalayan mountains are fascinating because of Mount Everest of course. In addition, I enjoy a good adventure story like the one I wrote about the Woods of Tennessee during week 1. Another reason I believe I might like this topic is because explorers/travelers on the journey seem to always encounter a great struggle. This may either be a battle or a hidden demon, whatever the matter, it coincides with the liking of my previous two topics.

Karma

Unlike the previous three topics, I like this topic because I have always been fascinated by the idea of Karma. I find it interesting that this topic is sometimes portrayed as a person in the Ramayana and other times it shows up subtly without announcement. My personal struggle with Karma has been always to determine if coincidence or Karma is the blame for future outcomes. I am curious to learn more about how the belief of Karma is stretched through Hindu belief. In addition, I noticed that many previous students have chosen this topic for their storybooks, therefore it must be an excellent topic.

Week 2 Reading Diary Part B

As it turns out I guess I will not be able to follow King Dasharatha anymore, as he is dead. I guess that is how all good epics go, the characters you become attached to pass on from the story. I enjoy how part B of the reading starts with another hook like effect to grab my attention. Bharata, the named son of the throne, is upset to find out that not only has his father past away but his eldest brother has been exiled. He is in anger and is now on a quest to set things right to the way they should be with Rama as the King of Ayodhya. My additional intriguing notes are as follows:

• Sandals are a form of symbolism for Bharata to represent Rama in the city of Ayodhya since he cannot convince him to come back.
• Sita tells the story of her unusual birth to the wife of sage Atri
• A demon from the forest takes Sita away and is not harmed my sharp weapons
• Surpanakha's jealousy and feeling of rejection by Rama leads her to attack Sita
• Ravana has special powers of voice and bodily changing abilities to construct mayhem, in which he abducts Sita again.
• The grand plan is for Rama, the human avatar, to take the life of Ravana
• Rama is a told myth by many saint's and gods, this is why many people of the forest have waited his arrival without his knowing. He gains valuable information on his quest to rescue Sita once again.

Dasharatha's Funeral, Manmatha Nath Dutt

Week 2 Reading Diary: Ramayana

Ayodhya, Capital City of Koshala
KING DASHARATHA, Donald A. Mackenzie

I have decided to focus primarily on a few characters in the Ramayana thus far. King of Koshala, Dasharatha, firsts intrigues me as a character I want to follow. Right away in the first reading he is setup as a person who has much anger built up inside. In addition, I see parallels to that of King Henry the VIII of England. One notably being the number of wives they have and their lack of ability to birth a son right for the throne. Another notes I've included about part A of the reading are as follows:

• King Dasharatha is promised four sons after a sacrificial horse.
• We find out that Sagar Island is a sacred place
• King of Janaka's challenge of marriage to his daughter if any man can bend the bow in which has to be carried on an eight-wheeled iron chariot.
• The King passes away but before doing so he tells a hunting story related to his Karma
• Rama possesses a enormous bow weapon which other beings are not able to even lift
• Sita and Rama are in love and are avatars of gods of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
• Vishvamitra informs Rama about a story with the story of the Ramayana
• Brothers of Rama marry wives from King Janaka's family, I foreshadow possible issues because of this.
• Rama will be the named son to take the thrown of his late father Dasharatha but then later exiled into the forest for fourteen years. 
• Anger of youngest wife of Dasharatha, Kaikeyi, causes her son Bharata to be the new heir to the throne instead of Rama.

Tech Tip: Imbedded Youtube Video

Just experimenting with embedding YouTube videos within my blog posts. I have posted one with NBA Finals top plays within my Introduction blog post. Thanks for reading.

Tech Tip: Blog Profile Settings

I have just adjusted a few of the settings on the homepage of my blog i.e. the date format and # of blogs that will show on my homepage. Thanks for reading.

Tech Tip: Newsreel Widget

I have decided to add the NewsReel widget to my right sidebar. I have it set to display news about Microsoft and its products. This is because I am a fan of Microsoft and its new Surface tablets and computer line. Thanks for reading.

Week 1 Review

Growth Mindset Cats (cheezburger)

The topic of growth mindset was one of my favorite topics of the week and I found this me to be humorous while being very fitting. I am looking forward onto what is to come in Week 2. Thanks to anyone who commented on my posts.

Famous Last Words: Week 1

During the first week of this course, I found myself struggling with getting into the writing of a few of the assignments. However, once I got into the groove I felt that some of my best writing, at least thus far, was displayed on my “Learning & Life Challenges” post. I felt as if this post most directly affected me emotionally and I was able to get into the writing more. In addition, I felt as if I almost had a self-realization myself that I need to step back every once in a while and examine which parts of my life am I focusing on. In which I felt like time management, health, and attention were the most prevalent to me currently. Another thing I enjoyed greatly about this particular assignment were the videos that were posted with it. I can appreciate a really effective inspirational video. One of which I found humorous, the one about procrastination. In fact, the video about procrastination made me go to gym that next morning because I was feeling guilty about my new year’s membership.

New Gym Membership's (Real Muscle Forum)

In addition, I hope that I can continue to improve my story writing as this course progresses. I’ve read stories of some classmates in this Indian Epics course who really have unique writing styles. Some styles have a great delivery of the information. Others seem to have a very well portrayed setting which helps the imagery of the story greatly. As well as improve my writing in this course, I hope to improve the writing in my other classes as well. For example, my drilling lab class is about to start up, which entails many lab reports to be written. Of course the topics may be different, however the same good writing behaviors can and will carryover. All in all, I will continue to self-examine my progress as I go through this course.

Tech Tip: Blogger Template

Hello all! Just wanted to say that I've browsed through the different templates and themes on blogger and have decided to change my blog to this golf background with green themed links. I saw it to be fitting with my other golf related posts. Comment on what you think of it, Thanks!

Learning & Life Challenges

I have never heard of this H.E.A.R.T acronym until today and I find it inspiring. The acronym stands for Health and Happiness, Empathy, Attention, Reading, and Time Management. Currently in my life I feel as if I have shifted the role of each of these in weight percentages. Nowadays it seems like my main focus is time management, health (because it's a new year), and attention. I would like to be able to shift those weight percentages more in favor of happiness and reading as I become older. It is not that I am unhappy now or don't read a lot now, however I would like to take up leisure reading as a hobby. In addition, I am a firm believer that happiness comes mainly from helping others and good deeds, not just spoiling yourself once you've made money. I will say that my advice to anyone is to spend as much time with your grandparents or parents as possible. I feel as I've gotten older I have less and less opportunities to spend time with them. And as I go to graduate college in almost a year I know I will only become busier. Although, I have recognized this fact and take almost every opportunity I get to spend with my grandparents. You never know when you might be on the last fishing trip with your grandpa.

Fishing with Grandpa (Jake Harris)

Growth Mindset Exploration

Before watching these videos I had never heard of Carol Dweck. I find her message very inspiring as well and it reminds me of a particular instance when I was able expand my personal imagination. One day in calculus class it dawned on me on how to get my mind to visualize and interpret things three dimensionally. It wasn't something that I was necessarily taught how to do rather than just being introduced to the concept of expanding that critical thought process. It is an amazing thing what the mind can do, if you just plant the seed and let the brain take over the rest. In her video "Make challenge the New Comfort Zone", I find it difficult to get my mind to have these epiphany's, like the one when I was finally able to fathom three dimensional analysis. However the brain is not one to underestimate or ever give up on, and I try to make it a point to have this healthy critical thinking on my mind at least once a week. In addition when this mindset is reached, a whole new level of success is obtained. Your mind and body felt like they have opened a whole new realm of possibilities and scenarios for a given topic.

Mind Expansion (Louis Dyer)

Storybook Favorites

Elephants of Indian Epics
I was intrigued by the title of this storybook because my favorite animal is an elephant. I enjoyed exploring this storybook's links and seeing the different ways elephant's were portrayed. It was almost as if using a label, every time an elephant was mentioned in a story.

Image by Bonnie Morgan

Most of the stories within this storybook were hard for me to follow however were interesting none the less. One thing I did find interesting about this particular story was how the elephant was portrayed as having three heads or possibly even looking three different directions.

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Karma for Kids

This storybook collection brought humor to me. This was because of the type of stories these were and the audience they were for. Again, much of the content was difficult to understand, however I found the purpose of many of these stories intriguing. For example, one is titled "Vibhishana's good Karma".  I enjoy stories with a lesson or hidden lesson at the end of them.

Image Information: Karma as an Action and Reaction; Web Source: Wikimedia Commons

I was not as fond of the design layout of this particular storybook as compared to the others. As it stands it was of course fine and functional, but was just missing some kind of an attention grabber once you arrived at the home page from the main link.

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The Magic Map

This storybook was probably my favorite one of the ones I explored. It had a catchy title which appealed to my inner treasure hunter personality. It also had a yet simple but perfectly matching background for the homepage picture to go along with the map. I really enjoyed Ms. Rodgers setup of the rest of her stories and how the "Graduation Present" story leads into the next story "Janakpurdham"

Map of India,  Wikimedia Commons

All in all I'm not sure what I will choose as far as my midterm project is concerned. However I do like these storybooks and I have some ideas if I am going to make one of my own. 

Book Overview

I am fairly new to epics in general and do not have a lot of background in many of the topics this class teaches, however I am open minded about it and excited to try any of the versions. I have decided to choose the second version of the Ramayana for reading. In addition the convenience of easy access to this version is also appealing. The picture below draws interest to me because of the adventure I imagine when I see this image.

Gajendra Moksha, circa 1820

The British Museum

Introduction to a Future Petroleum Engineer

Hi, my name is Tyler Brooking and I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I am 21 years of age and am currently a Junior at the University of Oklahoma. My major is Petroleum Engineering and I am not currently pursuing any minors. I was first attracted to the oil & gas industry because my father was a land man and did abstracts and deeds for property owners of oil wells. I later became more interested in the fact of how much that America and the world demands energy each and every day. The common misconception that oil & gas is just used for making gas and jet fuel is inaccurate. Without it many accessories, plastics, and polymers we enjoy as consumers would not exist, and it is because of this that I am intrigued at this business. In addition, natural gas plants are producing electricity at a far better economic rate than coal and is a much cleaner burning fuel than coal. All in all, these are a few reasons of why I chose to become a petroleum engineer.

Electric Pumping Units, Carrizo Springs, TX

Personal Photo

My hobbies include golfing, DIY projects, the outdoors, and spending time with my family. I have been an avid golfer since the age of 5 and have loved it ever since. Another thing I consider a hobby of mine are “do it yourself” projects. I enjoy learning how to fix things around a house or car to save myself money or friends and family money. Fishing and hunting are other recreational activities I enjoy when I have the time. And lastly but not least I enjoy spending time with my family, and having “get together’s”. My favorite holiday is always thanksgiving because of the vast amount of food, family, and friends that show up to celebrate it.

Filton Golf Course

Adrian Pingstone Source: Wikimedia Commons

In addition, one of my favorite things to do is travel. I enjoy going new places and playing new golf courses wherever I go. There is a golf course just about anywhere you travel and I like to play one in every state, country, or island I visit.

This is a embedded YouTube link I have been experimenting with for my tech tip: NBA Finals Top Plays

Week 1 Storytelling: Woods of Tennessee

Ron Praite  Source: Wikimedia Commons

After a long day out in the woods making moonshine, Mark and Jim Tom head back to their secret holiday home cabin. Come to find out the two men had consumed too much of their moonshine and couldn’t find their safe trail back to the cabin. It is a dangerous thing to get lost in the woods of Tennessee, especially away from the main trail. Urban legends say anything is possible to be seen in the woods of Tennessee when off the beaten path. The only thing Mark and Jim Tom know is that they must head East to get back to the cabin. With only some matches, a compass, and some fresh made Tennessee apple moonshine they head on their way back to the cabin. Along the way they hear rummaging from the tall pine trees up ahead. Jim Tom whispers to Mark “Ya hear that noise over yonder”. Mark says “Yeah, sounds like two guys arguin’ over somethin” As the two men creep closer to the pine trees they see the two men in a standoff through the clearing of the pine trees. One of the men looks to be a Japanese soldier unaware that WWII has ended over 50 years ago, the other is a lumberjack type fellow. The men are just about to start a shootout when Jim Tom lets out his Tennessee famous bigfoot cry. Both the Japanese man and the lumberjack look around in fear and then at each other. Before you could blink an eye both of the man ran in opposite directions of the woods of Tennessee and were never seen again. Jim Tom and Mark let out some good laughs and began on their way again back to the cabin. They can see the cabin in the distance however a barrier lies in between. Nettles surround the only entrance to the cabin. Jim Tom and Mark have a plan though, there is still one jar of highly flammable moonshine in their backpack. Jim Tom pours the last of the sweet Tennessee apple moonshine around the nettles and Mark takes his book of matches and sets them a blaze. Finally, the men find a clear path to the door of the cabin. Once inside the cabin, Jim Tom says “Mark, we got one problem.. We’re out of moonshine to drink now”

Author's Note
Inspired by Tom Gauld's map starting from the west side of the map and moving east towards the "Holiday Home".

Bibliography
Map of the Area Surrounding our Holiday Home, a cartoon by Tom Gauld from his book ROBOTS, MONSTERS Etc., 2006

Pebble Beach.. My Favorite Place

One of my favorite places in the world is the Pebble Beach golf course in California. 

A view from the 6th hole bordering the Pacific Ocean

Bernard Gagnon   Source: Wikipedia

Comment Wall

Seven Tomorrows=my life (Time Management Meme)

Van Morrison- Brown Eyed Girl

Just a good song, that's it.

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