Home Learning Assignment (Task 2)

Task 2
Complete the template provided below (Annex A), focusing on 
(1) Point of View; 
(2) Situation and Setting; 
(3) Language/Diction; and 
(4) Personal Response, 
And post your response to Task 2 on your blog.  This template is based on John Lye’s ‘Critical Analysis of Poetry’, and you can make reference to this in Annex B when in doubt.

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1)Point Of View
American Paratrooper Steve Carlsen, called to participate in the Afghan War. This poem gives us an idea of what it is like in the battlefield, like storming through 'lead rain' and rush of war. I believe his point of view is shared amongst many other deployed onto the war grounds. Despite only spending up to a year in Afghanistan, it is clear that the poet has had enough of the hellish phase of war.

2) Situation; Setting
From the mention of the Hindu Kush and furthur background information, we can tell that the setting was in Afghanistan. Since the 9/11 disaster, many Americans have expressed intent to retaliate. Thus beginning the war between the Americans and the Afghans in 2001. For the poet, he is deployed two years since the start of the war and the poem can tell us the huge terrain he fights on.

3) Language/Diction
From the poem readers are able to see the negative attitude Carlsen has about war. Terms like
'terror I can’t define' and 'Dirty and tired and hungry and scared' gives us a straight forward depiction of what Carlsen experiences. Additionally, the poet takes a turn at the later half of the poem involving more of his emotions than the earlier part did for what he went through. The rhymes which follow from every line coupled with the short-syllable words gives the reader a thrill and makes him feel as though he could feel the rush these soldiers go through. The poet also makes many references to divinity, such as 'Saint Peter'  probably to emphasise the close-to-death scenario which war really is.

4) Personal Response 
I feel that the poet has really poured out his personal emotions in this poem. From the crazed frenzy on the battlefield to the mixed feelings on the peak of the Hindu Kush, the poet gives us a true and reliable account of what an everyday soldier might go through. You get the feeling it's real difficult being a soldier.

Home Learning Assignment (Task 1)

Task 1

Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report on your blog detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice.  Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2.

Be sure to include your references and credit your sources.

We Slept With Our Boots On

They unloaded the dead and maimed right before our eyes
They washed out the blood, we loaded our ruck’s and then took to the skies
Over the mountains, villages, and valleys we flew  
Where we would land we had not a clue  
Bullets are flying, the LZ is hot  
We’re leaving this bird whether we like it or not  
30 seconds they yelled, Lock N Load and grab your shit 
  Get ready to go and make it quick  
My heart is pumping adrenalin through all of my veins  
I run as fast as I can through the lead rain  
The noise is tremendous, terror I can’t define
The only reason I survived that day was divine  
I kept pulling the trigger and reloading and pulling some more
You do what you have to do, with that I will say no more
We fought from the valleys to the mountain peaks
From house to cave, to car to creek  
Dirty and tired and hungry and scared
We slept with our boots on so we were always prepared
Those majestic mountains so steep, so high they kiss the skies  
The Hindu Kush has changed so many lives  
Up the mountains with heavy loads we trod  
Who knew hell was so close to God  
Beauty and terror are a strong mixed drink
So we drank it like drunkards and tried not to think
Good men and bad men, Mothers lost son’s  
Everyone loses their innocence when they carry guns  
Washed in the blood, and baptized by fire
I will never forget those who were called higher They say blood is thicker than water, well lead is thicker than blood  
Brothers aren’t born they’re earned. 
In the poppy fields, the tears, and the mud
And when I get to heaven to Saint Peter I will tell
Another Paratrooper reporting for duty sir, I spent my time in hell

Steve Carlsen

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Introduction:

So this is a piece of war poetry by Steve Carlsen. Steve Carlsen is an American soldier who went through Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School. In November 2001, he was deployed in Kosovo for peace-keeping operations. He also took part in the Afghanistan situation in 2002. He was discharged in 2oo3. He currently attends Southwestern Michigan College where his professor, Dr Michael Collins challenged him to write about his experiences.

About The Poem:

 To me, this poem is one that illustrates the poet's frustration through his participation in the Afghan war. He narrates his experience through the poem and gives the reader a sense of how harsh the war really was.

Some Definitions:

•  LZ: Landing zone, as he is a paratrooper. Usually marked with flares.

• Hindu Kush: The Hindu Kush is a 500-mile mountain range stretching between north-western Pakistan and eastern and central Afghanistan

References: http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/2010warpoetry.html#Steve

Take18: Internet Memes (ll)

This would be part two of my five favourite Internet Memes.
Check out the post below for the first to third.
So anyway, here is number four:

4. Demotivational Posters

Originating from that "Inspirational Picture, Character Trait , Caption" combination to form some inspirational and encouraging posters, Demotivational Posters are often really witty. Like so:

5.The Rick Roll


Sigh. Rick Astley, must have looked back in some time in his life and pondered what he really was famous for. Apparently, yes, his song Never Gonna Give You Up. But for the wrong reason of course.
Ever clicked on some link, eagerly sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the screen to load, before your excitement turns into frustration because of this singing red-haired guy that really, had nothing to do with what you wanted. Something like this.

Basically a bait and switch prank, which has left many frustrated.
Oh, did I mention he actually won an award for that? He won the 'Best Act Ever' award in the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008.


So, those (with the bottom post) would be the internet memes that have been circulating 'round the web nowadays. Here's an interesting link to check out by the way.

Jong, signing off.

Take18: Internet Memes

No, not 'mimies', 'meems'. Uh huh, thats how you pronounce it.
Internet Meme- used to describe a concept that spreads quickly via the Internet

Anyways, ever surfed the net, looked through forums and see some gibberish or maybe some alien terms? For example: the random break out of 'All your base are belong to us!' or maybe, 'This is Sparta!!' Or, probably, one of the most popular, the RickRoll? Maybe the endless lines of Chuck Norris jokes ring a bell. But anyway, I'll just be going through five memes that I most come across.

1. Kanye West at the MTV Music Awards


Why: At the 2009 MTV Music awards, Kanye West deftly interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance Speech for best Video of the year, by snatching the mic and telling everyone Beyonce’s video should have won. Many pictures, with Kanye interrupting some person with the lines 'Imma let you finish', have surfaced after that incident. Here are a few:

And another:

Lastly, one I actually agree on:

2. Chuck Norris

Now there was a lot of mention of this guy 'round the web and many don't really know why he is portrayed to be such an invincible force. So here's the truth: his action movie 'Walker, Texas Ranger' and his renowned Karate success  proved him to be the most invincible personality on the internet to date. Here are some 'facts' describe how powerful Chuck really is...

• Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door
• Chuck Norris knows the last digit of Pi
• Chuck Norris sleeps with a pillow under his gun
• Chuck Norris is the only man to win a game of tennis against a brick wall
• Before the Bogeyman goes to sleep, he checks under his bed for Chuck Norris
• Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding
• Chuck Norris can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.
• Chuck Norris can divide by zero

And that last one... Well, it leads us to:

3. Dividing by Zero 

Yeah sure, you don't get any result when you divide by zero (yes, really, try it), but go ahead
and make pointless jokes about it.

You get the point.

However, that will conclude the post for today as Blogger is buggin me about a word limit. So anyway, come by tomorrow and chec-

Take17: The Story of Henry Covington

So I've actually bothered to make some trips to Borders recently- and of course, got a couple of books. One great read would be 'Have a Little Faith' by the well-known author Mitch Albom (it's non-fiction).

It's basically about his short journey with his rabbi, Albert Lewis. Its a book involving Albom getting to know the rabbi better as he was actually approached by Lewis to do his eugoly. Through his journey, he meets Pastor Henry Covington. He is the pastor of I Am My Brother's Keeper ministry and he, like any other pastor, preaches the Word of God. But where he holds his sermons? A run-down church building, which dated back to 1881. The walls were decaying, the roof barely able to hold it self up. But one thing that amazed me was the generousity of this man. He, who decided to keep the building going by paying the maintainence, offered the homeless a place to stay in that very same church. He would also, regardless of their religion, offer these 'refugees' prayers. Yes, your everyday kind soul. But what occured before his current situation was really what took the cake.

Covington was born in an extremely poor family. With eight siblings around it had made things worse. As he grew older, the influence of the Detroit lifestyle had taken its toll on him: he was smoking and drinking by the age of nine. He robbed an old couple once, too. And then he got really rich, really quick: drug dealing. He was sentenced to seven years of jail too, for a crime he did not commit. He was spiralling down a road he obviously did not want to go down. But in the end fear drove him away from all these horrible vices. Fear, that rival thug gangs would hurt his family. Fear, that there would be no tommorow for him. And, ultimately, fear of God.

Check the book out. Pretty great read.