Quick Burst Two

Pertaining to my last quotation blog, in which I wrote about Beth Brodie, a teenage murder victim from Groveland, I learned that her killer, Richard Baldwin, may be paroled. There is a new law that states that juveniles who were convicted and sentenced, are subject to appeals. The argument is made that the brain of a child is not fully developed, therefore they should not have to pay the price for their crime. I find is absurd in this case especially because Baldwin is a clear psychopath who planned to murder Beth Brodie in a gruesome way. He is a clear danger to society and if he is released, I believe he will hurt more people. Due to the premeditation and brutality of his crime he was sentenced to life without parole, over two decades ago. Now a grown man, he may get the chance to walk free.

 Why should Baldwin get the chance to live a free life after he stole Brodie’s?

Here are some articles pertaining what I have discussed here:

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.wcvb.com/article/family-of-murdered-teen-fighting-to-keep-killer-in-jail/8200892

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/local_news/brodie-s-friends-fight-parolefor-her-killer/article_6218ca48-e2a4-5072-81e2-00bfbbe47faf.html

I also found a Facebook page dedicated to the justice of Beth Brodie, with almost 3,000 likes. On the page, there is a link to the following website:

http://justiceforbeth.org

Here is a photo of the site:

 Her friends and family are dedicated to keeping Baldwin off the streets. The website is very interactive and shows how important having justice for Brodie means to those who knew her. Please check it out and give the Facebook page a like. Beth, her family and friends have been through hell, showing this small amount of support means the world to them.

Quotation Blog Two

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

In the following quote, King is trying to show the normalcy of the Jerusalem's Lot, saying since it is such a small town, nothing bad will ever occur there. It stood out to me because it is verbatim what I have people have told me throughout my whole life. I really wanted to expand on it because no matter how big, small, safe or dangerous a town seems, bad things can happen anywhere.

"Nothing too nasty could happen in such a nice little town. Not there," (King 44). 

The quote I chose interested me because it is something I have heard so many people say about my town and the surrounding ones. Our school, Pentucket Regional High School is made up of three small, quiet towns called Merrimac, West Newbury, and Groveland. I am from Groveland, and know how to get everywhere around the tiny town, despite my bad sense of direction. Being a somewhat paranoid and anxious person, I am always in fear that myself or the people closest to will be hurt. For my whole life I have struggled with that specific fear. My friends and family are always reassuring me that our town is safe and "nothing bad ever happens here." Even though the students of Pentucket, including myself, are lucky to live in a decently safe area, there is always a chance that something bad will happen. In fact, many bad things have happened in unsuspecting towns that were known for their safety and lack of crime. In fact, I believe this quote in 'Salem's Lot, is foreshadowing for what horrors are ahead. While the book is fictional and focuses on the supernatural, I still feel this quote applies to real life, especially the people of areas like ours.

In 1992, in Groveland, long before I was born or anyone in my family lived here, a fifteen year old girl was murdered. Her name was Beth Brodie, a cheerleader and good student. She was regarded as intelligent and outgoing by her peers. Her killer, Richard Baldwin, a sixteen year old from Peabody (originally from Groveland), was dangerously obsessed with her. When she persistently declined to date him, he had a mutual friend lure her out of her home, with the pretense of just talking. Baldwin asked the friend, Sky Hall, to leave the room so he could talk to Brodie alone. He took an aluminum baseball bat, cornered her, and asked "are you afraid?" Then proceeded to beat her with it until her tragic death. This murder was premeditated and gruesome. I found a direct quote from the district attorney on the case, "Many people feel these things can only happen in the city," said D.A. Kevin Burke. "This is clearly not the city. This is another tragic reminder that we have a problem with violence in society, and it is everywhere." This goes to show that no matter where you are, if you think you are safe, you may not be. The case of Beth Brodie always reminds me to stay vigilant and aware of my surroundings at all times. Do not do anything in a "safe" area that you would not do in a dangerous one, because you never know who or what may be lurking.  

This murder of Beth Brodie coincidentally relates to 'Salem's Lot because when the main character was a young boy, he lived in Jerusalem's Lot when the murder occurred. A man bizarrely killed his wife in the book, then himself in their home. The brutal murder suicide was the only thing the town was known for, and the only bad thing that had ever happened there. It was known as a tiny, safe town even after that incident, just like Groveland. When I first started reading this book, I was instantly reminded of the Beth Brodie case because of the way King described the safety and nothingness that was Jerusalem's Lot. 

This is news article about the mourning of Beth Brodie at St. Patrick's church in Groveland, that I used to attend as a child, and even made my first communion at. It’s crazy to think that over a decade before, they were mourning a terrible loss and supporting the local people.

Vocabulary Blog Two

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
65 pages read

1. Page 5- Blotting: dry (a wet surface or substance) using an absorbent material

2. Page 6- Quaint: attractively unusual or old-fashioned

3. Page 9- Unanimous: (of two or more people) fully in agreement.

4. Page 12- Referendum: a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision

5. Page 12- Avidity: extreme eagerness or enthusiasm

6.  Page 14- Stigmata: a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person

7. Page 19- Carbine: a light automatic rifle

8. Page 20- Pillion: a seat for a passenger behind a motorcyclist

9. Page 20- Cupola: a small dome, especially a small dome on a drum on top of a larger dome, adorning a roof or ceiling

10. Page 23- Pulped: crush into a soft, shapeless mass

11. Page 29- Puritanical: practicing or affecting strict religious or moral behavior
12. Page 39- Bicentennial: the two hundredth anniversary of a significant event
13. Page 39- Prosaic: having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty
14. Page 40- Dour: relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance

15. Page 40- Ominous: giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious

16. Page 40- Personage: a person (often used to express their significance, importance, or elevated status).

17. Page 42- Exurban: region or settlement that lies outside a city and usually beyond its suburbs and that often is inhabited chiefly by well-to-do families

18. Page 42- Stodgy: dull and uninspired

19. Page 45- Epithet: an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

20. Page 46- Grotto: a small picturesque cave, especially an artificial one in a park or garden

21. Page 47- Perturbed: anxious or unsettled; upset

22. Page 52- Trellis: a framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as a support for fruit trees or climbing plants

23. Page 57- Levity: humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect.

Analytical Blog One

Essential Question: Why is Stephen King considered one of the best horror writers?

Stephen King is by far one of the best and most prosperous writers of this time. People who are not necessarily big into horror books read his because they are so alluring. He has countless international best selling books that have turned into very successful movies. It seems like he never runs out of content despite the fact he has been writing for decades. He has a way of drawing the reader in with suspense, creativity and overall amazing writing. I have always been intrigued by his mind and how he brainstorms his crazy book ideas and runs with them for up to one thousand pages.

I think people admire Stephen King's work so much because of his originality. His eccentric ideas and story lines were never seen before, which resulted in people being drawn to them. He also has immense passion for writing, unlike some writers who are uninspired and boring. King genuinely cares about the quality of his books. He says he reads and writes for six hours a day, in order to become a better author. People who dislike King will classify him as only a one genre author, his writing is in fact very versatile. King is not only a writer of horror, but also historical and science fiction books. I believe he has a somewhat dark, wandering mind and found writing as an outlet for that. King's father left his family as child, and he witnessed his friend being struck and killed by a train. His childhood trauma seems to inspire and fuel the darkness of his writing. Years later he lost his mother to uterine cancer, which was difficult for him because she solely raised him and his brother. As well as battling extreme drug addiction to alcohol and various benzodiazepines, and even being struck by a car in 1999. King has lead a decently traumatic life. 

Personally, I have found solace in writing. It is creative and healthy way for me to reveal my darker, hidden thoughts. It has helped me through some rough times in my life and I consider it a coping strategy of mine. I love letting my mind drift off into a fictional world or a different reality while expressing myself and showing feelings I have trouble talking about out loud. Due to my personal experience with writing, I often like to think more deeply about the mind of the author when I read a book. I like to consider what may possibly be going through their heads and what inspires them to write. A writer can only be good if they are inspired, passionate and hardworking. Generally, people with more life experience are better writers. I find King not only an incredible writer, but a fascinating mind as well. 

Quick Burst Blog One

The author of one of my books, Stephen King, is someone I find very fascinating. He is by far the most famous writer of horror books. Many of King's books have became movies, such as The Shining and IT. His writing is incredible and I consider him a creative genius. I found a short biography about his life and writing career. 

https://www.stephenking.com/the_author.html

Quotation Blog One

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King 
31 pages read

In the book 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King, the main character, Ben Mears is an author who has not been very successful. He is travelling to Jerusalem's Lot, a fictional town in Maine where he once lived. He is very intrigued by the town because of it's paranormal history. Once he arrives in Jerusalem's Lot, he is walking in the park to see a pretty girl reading far in the distance. When he approaches her, she is reading his book and expresses she is a big fan of his writing. I picked the following quote because it can be applied to many different areas of life. It is very powerful and worded beautifully.

"'Of such inconsequential beginnings dynasties have begun,' he said, and although it was a joking throwaway remark, it hung oddly in the air, like prophecy spoken in jest."

Ben is saying that small, insignificant actions can create a much larger effect. One's actions will always have an effect on others and the world around us, but it may be way more meaningful or powerful than expected. He said those words jokingly, but realized they had an important meaning. In Ben's case could be trying to charm the girl he approached in the park by saying his book brought them together and caused their meeting. He could also just be talking about his career as a writer in general, or something much deeper.

As humans, we all make mistakes. We may act or speak irrationally, or do things without thinking them through logically. It happens to everyone at least once, and that is okay as long as you take a lesson from it. I have learned that it is very important to think about the possible effect of my actions before I do them. I have made many rash, stupid decisions based off of things I considered to be insignificant. Due to that, I have hurt others and myself. All people have different sensitivity levels and it is important to be considerate of that at all times. For example, there are certain racist and homophobic slurs used by people in a "joking" manor who do not actually feel any hatred. This language is a problem because it is extremely offensive and hurtful to mass amounts of people, even if it is not coming from a place of unacceptance. While using those words may seem insignificant to one person, it could really hurt another. This quote can be interpreted in many different ways, both positive and negative which I really love. It is also a reminder that something that you may find inconsequential, could have a drastic effect on someone else, or the world around you.

https://wherethesunisalwayshining.wordpress.com/2015/04/11/the-ripple-effect-how-our-actions-affect-other-people/

This wonderfully written article delves into how your actions can effect someone else and how to avoid hurting other people. It is very sweet and adds a lot of positivity into this world. I recommend reading it just to remind yourself of the ripple effect your actions can have.

Vocabulary Blog One

Article: Why do Some People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?
By Thea Buckley

1. Cognitive: the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses

2. Intrinsically: In an essential or natural way

3. Ambiguity: the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness

4. Crux: the decisive or most important point at issue

5. Bolster: support or strengthen; prop up

Article: Conspiracy Theories: Here's What Drives People to them, no Matter how Whacky they are

By William Cummings

7. Subvert: to undermine the power of an authority of (an established system or institution)

8. Outlandish: looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar

9. Ardent: enthusiastic or passionate

10. Pervasive: (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people

11. Illusory: based on an illusion; not real

12. Malevolent: having or showing a wish to do evil to others

13: Adherent: someone who supports a particular party, person or set of ideas

14. Enterprise: a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort

Article: America's Ten Most Popular Conspiracy Theories

 By Paul Rather 

15. Nefarious: (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal

16. Turmoil: a state of great disturbance, confusion or uncertainty

17. Globalist: a person who advocates for the interpretation or planning of econonmic events and devleopments throughout the world

18. Heuristic: enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves.

19. Status quo: the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.

20. Placate: make (someone) less angry or hostile

21. Echelon: a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society.

22. Rubric: a heading on a document 

 Article: Conspiracy Theories
 Unknown 

23. Maritime: connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.

24. Civic: relating to a city or town, especially its administration; municipal

25. Redact: to censor or obscure (part of a text) for legal or security purposes

26. Memorandum: a written message, especially in business or diplomacy

27. Trajectory: the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces

28. Fanciful: (of a person or their thoughts and ideas) overimaginative and unrealistic

29. Leaflet: a printed sheet of paper, sometimes folded, containing information or advertising and usually distributed free

30: Trove: a store of valuable or delightful things

Quarter One Plan

Why I chose my topic: 

My topic will be on fiction mystery and horror books. I originally planned on blogging about conspiracy theories, but the overarching topic of horror would be a lot more enjoyable for me to read about. I have always loved murder mystery shows and horror films and books. I am drawn to these because they really engage me and pull me in. I am fascinated by minds like Stephen King's and am excited to read some books of his. 

Essential Questions:

What do people find so engaging about horror and mysteries?
Why is Stephen King considered one of the best horror writers? 
What does the mind of a horror author look like?
How can writing be therapeutic?
What the history behind Halloween? 

Books: 

Salem's Lot by Stephen King 653 pages
The Couple Next Door Shari Lapena 384 pages