Cunning and Courage — a Reflection of the Odyssey

Meet difficulty with courage.

Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, is a determined, cunning young man with much courage. He lives in his fathers castle, with his mother and the troublesome suitors. The suitors are like our challenges in life. They live inside of us, loiter us, and nagg at our brains. We will meet people who “decide the fare is better, richer here, destroying one man’s goods and going scot-free,” that will try to suck everything they can out of us.

    In order to move on with our lives we must ignore them, and pursue our goals through the difficulties and challenges. “I’m sailing off to Sparta, sandy Pylos too, for news of my dear father’s journey home.” Like it was for Telemachus, having courage is important for many things. In his case he needs courage to find has father, Odysseus. In our case, maybe that is the courage to apply for a job, ask a question, or make a stand. While Telemachus’ story doesn't seem remotely close to our lives, in an intercity way, we are quite similar. We all have challenges, problems, gifts, and many other things that are a part of life which we must face with cunning and courage.

Dreams

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Bases loaded, two down in the ninth as I walk out to the plate. The exact situation all ball players dream of every other night. As I approach the pit of dust they call the batter's box, I'm in another realm; completely oblivious to my surroundings. The only things I sense are the towering fly balls I’ve seen thousands of times in dreams, and the shot of dopamine after launching a ball thirty feet over the fence in left.

Irrefutable

The current drug policies aren’t working, it's time to change.

“The decriminalization of drug use needs to be considered as a core element in any public health strategy”

~Alexander Murdough

There are approximately 1.2 emergency visits to the hospital, and approximately 25,000 deaths annually due to gang violence in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, and drug disputes are some of the main causes of gang violence. Simply legalizing drugs stops unnecessary violence, the current drug system doesn’t work, and forcing ideology onto people doesn’t work.

Irrefutable

The current drug policies aren’t working, it's time to change.

~Alexander Murdough

There are approximately 1.2 emergency visits to the hospital, and approximately 25,000 deaths annually due to gang violence in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, and drug disputes are some of the main causes of gang violence. Simply legalizing drugs stops unnecessary violence, the current drug system doesn’t work, and forcing ideology onto people doesn’t work.

     As of now, there is too much crime and violence related to illegal drugs; however, there is a solution. Legalizing all these drugs. Yes legalizing drugs could result in higher amounts of drug use, but it would undeniably stop the unnecessary assaults, unnecessary homicides, and unnecessary drug scandals because everyone can simply go to a store, buy their drugs, avoid any gang involvement or sketchy situations, and simply go do their own thing. Since there would be no need to commit any sort of violence or scam, the amount of people going to the ER would drop, the number of assaults would drop, and the number of homicides would drop. Surely it is worth risking higher amounts of drug use in exchange for fewer deaths and injuries caused by drugs being illegal. Right now, statistics have shown that drug abusers commit crimes to obtain their desired drug. If one of these drug abusers could simply walk into a store and buy their drugs, they wouldn’t feel the need to go out and steal or assault in order to acquire what they want. Instead of being ignorant and stubborn, it is time to be practical and reasoning.

     The same drug policies have been in place for 50 years; not only has drug use increased, but it has also created an enormous drug market. The drug market is one of the main stems of violence and corruption, and the reason that the drug market exists is because drugs became illegal, which forced the drug dealers and users to adapt. Since it is illegal the places and people doing these drug deals are mostly sketchy, and in many cases there are weapons or firearms present. When doing something illegal, everyone gets edgy and tensions usually get high. Add weapons to high tensions, illegal drugs, and often gangs, that is a recipe for disaster; however this disaster is fixable. If drugs were legal, the environment where they are purchased and sold wouldn’t be hostile or sketchy, there wouldn’t be weapons, and it would be legal! It doesn't take a person with much intelligence to understand that legalizing drugs has more pros than cons.

     Humans are by nature independent creatures. Each of us have our own opinions, own needs, and own problems. No one enjoys being forced into anything, or being forced to not do something. So when the government makes drugs illegal, the citizens of the U.S. feel like  some of their freedom is taken away, we want our freedom back and respond by doing what we were told not to. If the government were to legalize drugs, no one would feel the need to try to gain their freedom back by taking these illegal drugs. There are also cases where other countries have legalized drugs. According to Open Society Foundations, in Portugal, the use and possession of all drugs were decriminalized in 2001. Since then, drug use has remained under the EU average, and there was also a “huge drop in drug-related HIV transmission.” Legalization of drugs has worked in Portugal. Why wouldn’t it work in the United States? 

     In what way have the current drug policies helped anyone?

Wed, Feb 2, 2022

Alexander Murdough

Fenn Varsity basketball vs Middlesex JV. For Fenn, this game is a chance to prove that Fenn is a problem; for Middlesex however, a loss against the young Fenn team would be embarrassing. Especially since Fenn was playing with seven for most of the game. As the game started, defense reigned supreme as neither team seemed able to score a bucket through the first five or so minutes through the game. After a very uneventful first half Fenn led 15-10. The lowest scoring half of the season for Fenn. The first half showed that Fenn was a team with better athletes, and more talent. As the game began to come to a close, the score was 25-22, Middlesex ball with a minute left. The point guard brought the ball up into Fenns effective half court trap. Middlesex broke away and swung the ball around the key to their shooter. Quick like a snake, Jaxon Terry flashed his hand out and snatched the ball. He was quickly fouled. The one thing keeping the game close was that Middlesex was playing a  2-1-2 zone; which Fenn hadn’t seen all season. Jaxon made one of two free throws, pushing the score up to 26-22. Middlesex promptly inbounded the ball and pushed up the court where a defensive foul was called. Was this a good foul? Still hard to tell? One free throw was made, making it 26-23, now a three point game. Holding onto the ball as long as possible Fenn slowly began to set up their offense. Now with only 20 seconds on the clock, and Middlesex desperately needing a basket their guard brought the ball into the paint and made a quick and precise layup, narrowing the deficit to just one point, however this wasn’t enough as Fenn put up another two free throws to end the game. While Middlesex’ zone was effective, it didn’t manage to help jumpstart Middlesex’ offense as they didn’t manage to get north of 25 points by the end of the game, and ultimately lost to an undermanned middle school team. Quite embarrassing if you ask me.

https://youtu.be/FYDDLH3siiY 

By Henry David Thoreau

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, will pass an invisible boundary; new, universal, and more liberal laws will begin to establish themselves around and within him; or the old laws be expanded, and interpreted in his favor in a more liberal sense, and he will live with the license of a higher order of beings. In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

Literary Analysis:

Rewards come from following your dreams. Those who confidently chase their dreams and keep an open mind will cross the invisible line to success. The author is writing about how he learned that people who confidently follow their dreams are met with unique successes.

I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - [Excerpt From Walden, Henry David Thoreau]

The main theme of this piece of writing is to go after your dreams and goals to live a life you want to live, and once you do follow your dreams you meet with success. Maybe not always financial success, but probably also happiness. This success will make the bad things in life appear less daunting. For example, weakness won't feel like weakness, “nor poverty poverty.” When you are happy, successful, or even both, life has greater rewards that are uncommon for most people. Doing something that makes you happy is the best success.

Reflection:

WWFenn is always a struggle for me. It is hard for me to find a piece that speaks to me in some way which makes it harder to memorize. Public speaking also makes me uncomfortable so doing the WWFenn is always hard. However, when I have a piece I like, it is much easier. I picked this piece of writing because it had meaning to me. It is about chasing dreams, and doing what you want in your life. The writing actually felt important and worthwhile to memorize. I’m grateful that Fitz took the time to find pieces of writing for me to choose from. Without those options, I probably would’ve picked a random poem that isn't important to me, which would make it harder to memorize. I like this piece because it has meaning, has a deeper purpose than that which comes across, and it is a one of a kind piece of literature. Now that its done, i can be relieved. No more memorizing. I spent a lot of time on this piece of Literature and I ended up messing up because I caught a funny look from a friend, and started to laugh. I wouldn’t do anything differently because i worked hard and had my poem memorized perfectly. Too bad I messed up though.

Metacognition

    While this Exam was shorter, it was still difficult. I can definitely say that my brian is tired from all the “poopweeding.” I am happier with this exam because we were given plenty of time to get things straight. This was way better than the other exams because we didn’t have a chance to study, because our teachers wanted to cram all the extra work in. This didn't help me at all, because it made me cram in work which apparently isn't useful. The one thing I didn't like about this exam was the proofreading. It was long, hard, and mentally tiring, but what else would I expect on an exam? This Exam was probably my favorite or second favorite, as it wasn’t as stressful. I was prepared for this exam, and I am feeling confident in how I did. I worked on the comma rules in  advance which took some of the weight off my shoulders. Obviously I don't like exams, and if I had the choice, I wouldn’t take them; however, I understand it's a part of school and so I accepted that we are going to be taking these exams. You did a good job with this exam by making it manageable, but difficult. Happy Holidays!

~Alexander Murdough

Literary Analysis Essay, 

December, 17, 2021

Old Man and the Sea Literary Analysis

A book of simple, yet deep lessons.

We will either find a way or make one.

-Hannibal

There is no reward for giving up. In the book, The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, the Old Man perseveres through many hard times and eventually is rewarded with the ultimate prize.

Literary Reflection

A simple story with hidden lessons

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nothing rewarding comes without persevering through challenges. The Old Man and The Sea showed me that perseverance is one of the most important traits to have in life. The old man perseveres through the struggle and eventually is rewarded. While the book wasn’t one I would choose to read, there were still lessons about perseverance throughout the text that I can apply to my current life, and my future life. Right now, I am dealing with schoolwork at my neck, and the old man reminded me that there is no reward for being lazy and giving up; however, there is always a reward for persevering through tough times. 

    I started reading The Old Man and The Sea simply as a school book; a boring, time consuming book with no purpose other than taking notes to get a good grade. While it was a boring, time consuming book, I realized it had a purpose, and more importantly a lesson: worthwhile things don’t come from giving up, but from persevering. 

    In the back of my mind, I knew that we were going to be writing a literary analysis essay on this book. Knowing that, I searched for hidden themes that while I might not be able to relate directly, I could still find a way to make a connection with the book. All throughout the book I had thought about writing about friendship, but it wasn’t until I had started writing that I realized the strongest connection I felt was with the Old Man and his perseverance. The Old Man goes through many situations where giving up is the clear and easy option, but instead he perseveres through and is eventually rewarded. Like the Old Man, I need to persevere through my challenges, academic and athletic.

     A few weeks ago, you might’ve heard me moaning and complaining about the amount of work we have stacked up in front of us. Now, you will still occasionally hear me complaining. The difference however, is that now I work through the homework stacked up in front of me instead of whining about it. The Old Man and the Sea reinforced in my mind that nothing gets done from complaining. While the book may be boring and take some perseverance to get through it, the lessons hidden in the text are worth the time it took to read the book.