White crystals are stitched together to create a sparkling quilt over the town. Blankets cover rooftops while the white quilt stretches from door to door. Trees are stripped from their autumn leaves. Now, white laces are draped over the naked branches. A child is pleased with the quilt as he lays in it making the impression of an angel in the ground. As the crystals start to stop falling, more and more people are coming out to burn the marvelous blanket. They come with their shovels and scoop away until the blanket is nothing but shreds on the sides of the streets. In busy places, malicious smoke blackens the shreds until it is as dark as the night. Mother Nature fights back with yet another blanket, but man rips that one up as well. All day, it's a war against nature. She's only trying to dress up their homes for a special holiday, and they are unappreciative and destroy the gift she brings them. It's now night and everyone is sleeping. This is her moment to shine as she takes the tiny crystals of what's left of her beautiful blanket and throws them back up into the black sky. They now are called stars, waiting for another time to fall down to earth as white crystals once more.

"SNOW"

Snow
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep
And dream
Of snow

monologue

Hey.....I'm so sorry. I feel so guilty, not being able to say thank you. I hope you knew how much you meant to this family....You know, my brothers practically consider you their mother. Sure, we see her in the afternoon after school, but it's the night that gets them. It's hard for a kid at eight, ten, twelve, or even me at fifteen, to sleep, not having that comfort, that knowing that mom's right there if you need her. It really gets to them. We understand, well me and Phill understand. It's gotta be hard for a single mother to raise four kids on her own, dependant on her oldest to make sure they get to bed on time with full stomachs and teeth brushed.....Just thank you. Thank you for checking up on us during the night, no matter what time. It really took a lot off my back. For years now...years, I've been the mature one. And my brothers look up to me. Michael and John don't even remember dad. I try so hard to be like him....I don't know. I mean I've had to watch three kids since dad died. I barely had time to spend with Gina or Chris. And I always feel bad when they ask me to go to the movies or the mall because my answer's always "No I gotta stay and put my brothers to bed." Most of the time they come over and have fun and all, but I feel like it's never just us three. John, Michael, and Phill are always there with us. Always. And you're the one that steps in for me so I can enjoy a Friday night with my friends. But then, I have to hear from mom that it's my responsibility, not yours....What really bothers me now the most, is that I didn't even want to do the things I did, and still do. I was never asked to watch my brothers at ten when dad passed away. I was never given the option to be mature at a child's age. I was given the guilt and the lecture on how I have to be there for them. I didn't want to try so hard to be like dad. I was told to try to be like dad. But I'm not a dad. I'm their brother, and a teenager who needs a break. I can't wait until they all get old enough to watch themselves. It will make my life so much easier. I'm sorry if I sound selfish, but you have no idea what it's like for a fifteen year old to have the responsibilities of a parent. You don't know what it's like. I need you, not for the kids sake, but for mine. I deserve a break. I've worked my ass off for five long years, and now you're quitting on me. They're going to take you off tomorrow and I don't know what I'm going to do. It's not fair. What do you think I should do?

Overly Dramatic

Ben
Rebecca, his wife

(As they enter their house, BEN hangs the keys up and they both take off their jackets. REBECCA has a big spill stain on her dress)

BEN: What's wrong with you today? You didn't say a word the whole ride home.

REBECCA: Apparently a lot is wrong with me.

BEN: Well what's that supposed to mean?

REBECCA: Oh don't act like you don't know!

BEN: I don't!

REBECCA: I saw the way your friends looked at me at the party. I know what they must have been thinking when they saw you with me.

BEN: Is this about when you spilled that drink on your dress? I told you, no one was laughing...(chuckles) well I was, but I already said I'm sorry!

REBECCA: No, that's not what I meant.

BEN: Well then what's your problem?!

REBECCA: The way they looked at me, it was like I was so beneath them. They were looking right through me.

BEN: You know that's not true. They respect you just as they respect me. So what if you got little spill on your dress. It was no big deal.

REBECCA: This isn't about the spill!

BEN: Then what is it about? You want them to treat you like a queen? Huh? Is that it? Like you're some kind of empress they have to bow down to?

(Rebecca is almost in tears but then stands her ground)

REBECCA: No. But a little common decency would be appreciated. The women at the party wouldn't even hold a conversation with me! And your friends looked at me like I was some kind of hired hooker!

BEN: Why do you care so much about your image?

REBECCA: What image? I don't even have an image among those people! I have never seen you without a jacket. I always feel like such a slob compared to you. Before we were married, I was sure you slept with a tie.

BEN: Oh so I'm the bad guy?! Just because I wear suits to work and have friends that are intellectuals, that makes me a jerk?

REBECCA: I didn't say you were a jerk,

BEN: You might as well have. It's clear you're jealous of my appearance. (raises nose in air)

REBECCA: Jealous of-... You are completely missing the point, Ben! I can't be subjected to judgment from your snooty friends every time we go out!

BEN: Well, fine! Let's move to a cave. We'll never go out in public again! Is that what you want?

REBECCA: Oh you're being completely overly dramatic.

BEN: Am I Rebecca? Am I really?

REBECCA: ...Yes Ben, you are.

BEN: Well fine then, I'll go spend the night at my "snooty friend's" house. Wouldn't want to make your life "overly dramatic"!

REBECCA: Ben!

(BEN exits, slamming the door behind him. Rebecca sighs and exits)

I called Jane at about 10:00 in the morning.
"Hello?"
"Jane, it's me, Jake. What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothin. Why?"
"John, James, and Christine are coming over. You wanna join us?"
"Well why are you asking me now? Obviously you didn't want me to come over or you woulda asked me when you asked them."
"Jane, I just got off the phone with them. I figured we're a bit old to go trick-or-treating, so we'll watch a couple of movies, answer the door for the kids. Just chillin out."
"Oh. OK. Sorry about before. I shouldn't of snapped like that. It's just you know I don't like Halloween."
"Oh yea. I almost forgot you didn't. Don't worry. It'll be scare-free."
"Okay." When she hung up, I immediately called back John.
"John, hey. You wanna have some fun tonight?"
"Fun? How so?"
"Well, you know how Jane hates Halloween?"
"Jake, I dated her for like two months last year. Remember? I know she doesn't like Halloween."
"So, I was thinking we pulled a couple of pranks on her and Christine."
"Ooh. What about James?"
"I'm gonna call him as soon as I get off with you."
"OK."
"Listen, instead of coming at seven like I told everyone, come in two hours. That'll give us some time to think and find a couple of pranks to pull."
"You got it. See ya in a bit."
"Bye." I barely put the phone down as I went to pick it back up. Excitement filled me inside. I dialed.
"James?"
"Who's this?"
"It's Jake."
"Oh hey. Didn't you just call?"
"Yeah. Listen, is there any way you can come over at twelve instead of seven?"
"Uhh.......yeah, I don't see why not. Why?"
"John and I are planning a few pranks on Christine and Jane tonight. Some Halloween fun."
"Ooh, OK. I'll be there at twelve."
"OK, great. See ya later."
"See ya." I hung up the phone and ran downstairs.
"Pranks huh?" my dad whispered, practically startling me.
"Just a few. Nothing harmful. How'd you know?"
"You forget that all the house phones are connected on one line."
"Oh, right."
"So, you guys need help?"
"Uh, sure. Why, you wanna?"
"Yea, of course." he looked around." Just don't tell your mom. She won't let you guys pull them off."
"Oh yea. OK." It seemed like forever until John and James showed up. Th door bell rang and my mom answered.
"Hi boys. Aren't you a little early?"
"Well actually-"
"They came over to help me with some pre-calc. Mrs. Anderson was like the only teacher that did work yesterday and since I went to OCC with theatre arts, I have it for homework." I lied before James was able to give us away.
"Oh. Ok" she went back to making lunch. I gave James a look and went upstairs to my room with them following. I closed the door as they sat on the bean bags. I digged for a pencil and a my pre-calculus notebook. I found a vacant page and wrote "Ways To Prank" on the heading.
"OK, we have like five hours to set up everything we're doing." I said, instinctively taking charge.
"Uh, question. How are we gonna be pulling things off while we're watching the movie?" John asked.
"Well how about one of you calls out sick or something."
"I'm not. I wanna see the faces of them." John said.
"Yeah, me too." James agreed.
"Wait. I got an idea. Dad!" I yelled. I then heard his big footsteps coming up the stairs. He opened the door, closed it, and took a seat on my bed.
"What do ya guys need?"
"Well we need someone to pull off the pranks while we watch the movie with the girls. Ya know. To make it more realistic."
"Oh, Gotcha." I went and started to think. "Ya know, I can do everything by myself."
"Well, what about us? It's supposed to be our prank. You're just helping." I told him. He looked down and we thought.

* * * * *

We planned everything from setting the smoke machines on timers, to working out the lights with dad. We agreed that at random times during the movie, I was going to leave and "go to the bathroom". This then, signaled my dad to mess around with the lights. At first they’ll all think it was me, until I come back just as confused as they are. My parent’s car wouldn't be there so they would expect it to not be either of them. The plan was fool proof, (or so I thought.) Catherine came at 6:30 because she hated being late. She almost walked in on us setting up one of the smoke machines if she came came about five minutes earlier. I put some chips ont he coffee table along with some nacho cheese, mild salsa, and some chicken dip thing my mom made for us.
"You guys are early." Catherine told James and John.
"Yeah, John's mom had to go somewhere at 6:30 and wouldn't have been able to come later, so him and James got here at like six-ish." I told her, hoping she'll buy it.
"Oh, OK." she said. She shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the couch. "Your folks left already?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah. They're catching a movie and you know how my mom likes to get to places early." I said as I sat down next to her, grabbing a chip and dipping it in my moms chicken dip. I suddenly got a sense of chills which made me almost choke. "Uh, where's Jane?" I asked. James and John sat down on another couch.
"Oh, she's going to be a little late."
"Oh? How come?" I asked.
"I don't know. She never said."
"Huh" James said. For the next half hour or so, we just talked about school and the drama that's guaranteed with it. At 7:20-ish, Jane finally showed up.
"Hey" she said softly. She took off her pink sweat jacket which revealed her black t-shirt. Her blond hair was tied back; her bangs hiding her hazel eyes. She seemed more nervous and scared than the other Halloweens. Everyone said "Hey" back almost simultaneously. I put the DVD in and took a seat next to Christine; Jane sat on the other side of her. A quarter into the movie, I got up.
"I'll be right back." I headed to the bathroom. John chuckled. Right there, I felt the plan was ruined. That chuckle could have given it away. I went in and texted my dad.
"Now" I texted.
"Okay" he replied. I waited. Suddenly my lights flickered. He was smart enough not to flicker the T.V. circuit but the rest of the house flashed on and off. I heard a few screams. I wasn't quite sure who sreamed. I came out of the bathroom and the lights stopped.
"Very funny, jerk." Christine yelled at me. I was in shock. Jane was in her arms crying. She got up and put her coat on.
"I'm taking Jane home now. I'll be back to kick your but." she said in a strong voice. I felt stunned. John couldn't stop laughing, and James put his head down in shame.
"Shut the hell up John." I said. He coughed and sat down.
"We screwed up." James said. My dad came in.
"S--t" he said.
"Yeah." I replied. It seemed like forever. We just froze until the silence was disturbed by a knock on the door. My dad left in silence. I went and opened it. There stood Christine, chuckling.
"You shoulda seen how you guys looked. Jane's fine. She loved it. She just at home to make you guys feel bad."
"Then why didn't she come back." I asked. She sat down and grabbed a chip.
"Well, I not supposed to be telling you. She wanted to tell you on Monday at school."
"That sucks." I said.
"So are we gonna continue the movie?" she asked. I shrugged and played the movie. I sat down next to Christine. We continued to watch like nothing happened. Then I saw the lights flickering.
"Not anymore" I texted.
"Why are they flickering?" Christine asked.
"I don't know. Let me check the breaker." I went into the garage and no one was there. "Dad." I whispered. No one was there. I search everywhere. I would have heard the garage door open and close but I didn't.
"Not anymore what?" he replied. I dialed.
"Dad?"
"Jake. What are you talking about? I'm at the movies w/ with your mother. We're on line."
"Uh, OK. Never mind then." I hung up and went back to the couch.
"What happened?" Christine asked.
"Huh? Oh, uh, the switch broke when I was flickering them. it's fixed now." I lied. As we continued watching the movies, a sudden fog started to appear. The fog machines? They were on. But who turned them on? No one seemed to notice until it got thicker.
"What the-" James said. Both John and James gave me a look. I left and went to the fog machines. They were off?

Lost children

“Where did Mom go?” Nichole asked her five year old brother.
“I-I-I don’t know. I was looking at a puppy and when I looked, Daddy wasn’t there.” Peter replied.
“Well it’s a carnival, they can’t be far. They won’t leave us.” The six year old assured herself that they would find their parents. The sounds of laughter, fun, and music turned instantly into a soundtrack of a horror movie. The clowns seemed to be menacingly laughing at children, hypnotizing them with their tricks and colors. The children were lost in a forest of crowd. Nichole reached in her pocket and pulled out four tickets.
“Let’s go on the carousel.” she said. Nichole grabbed her brother’s arm and went off in search of the ride. Nichole felt it was a search and rescue. She thought that if she went on the carousel, she will find her parents. Peter had mix feelings. He felt the scariness of losing his parents, but the excitement of going on a ride overcame that. The big wild animals looked at first like monsters, waiting to devour children. Nichole sucked it up and climbed on an ostrich. Peter went on a lion. The music began to play and the carousel started to spin. Peter was screaming in excitement. He felt empowered. Meanwhile, Nichole was looking for her parents, scanning every inch of the carnival. The music filled her head as if a source of hypnotism. She was barely able to concentrate. She started to feel dizzy and almost fell off the animal. She thought she saw her mom, but the ride was too fast for her to tell. She waited for the ride to come to that spot again, but she lost track of where she saw her.
“MOMMY!” she cried. A bolt of terror controlled her body. She felt queasy and light headed.
“WEEEE!” Peter yelled, not even taking notice at his surroundings. He didn’t even realize where he was anymore. To him, he was riding a lion through an African jungle. He was a king, on a mission, examining the scenery.
Nichole was sobbing now. She felt herself spinning as well as the carousel. The ostrich seemed like a children’s torturing device, confusing her in every way. The ride never ended. Nichole screamed and the ride stopped. She fell trying to get off. Peter, exhilarated, jumped off and was all smiles. Nichole stumbled around the carnival, still dizzy from the spinning machine of Hell. She almost fell backwards when a soft and gentle hand caught her fall. . . .

Spider King and Queen

I feel that Nichole should be Queen because she has done alot this week. Alison is also very spirited and has put much dedication this week. For King, I feel I deserve it only because the other guys don't really do anything. That's just my opinion.

"Be Kind To Arachnids This Week"

I have eight legs,
black and small.
I'm slick and sly,
And eat many flies,
that I catch in my web on the wall.

Though some people may scream,
at my very site,
I don't cause any harm,
I just need a place thats nice and warm,
To stay through the night.

So this week,
If you see me don't sream,
Just sing the "Arachnid Song"
All week long.
Because it's "Be Kind To Arachnid Week"

Super Silly Sammy Spider

Super Silly Sammy Spider slicked sideways secretly down his slippery web on a sensationally sunny Sunday. Searching for something to snack on, Sammy accidentally spotted Sid Snake. Sid spent Sundays searching for spiders to eat for supper. Sid spotted Sammy and secretly found a sinister scheme in order to eat Sammy Spider. As Sammy slowly stepped back towards his slippery web, Sid slipped, slithered, and hissed his way also towards Sammy's web. Sammy started to accelerate towards his web which made Sid speed up as well. Sammy stepped on his web and was safely in his home as Sid slipped too fast, causing him to slide and stumble.

Squirrel

I get up in the morning, I scurry on down the oak. I stop. A car. Another one. More cars pass as I try to cross the street, not knowing what lies ahead. A big dog barks at me as I pass someone's yard up another tree. I see another squirrel and suddenly get the urge to play a quick game of tag with him. Is it a him? I'm never sure. I chase him down only to realize that he has a nut. That's why I chased him. I guess it's instinct. I'm hungry. That's probably why I chased another, or possibly the same, squirrel just another day. I continue to run and sprint. I stop. Quickly, I scratch my nose with both my hands. I look both ways and cross a street with bigger, louder cars. One passes me and the wind seems to knock me over. I continue to run and end up on a big open area of grass. I realize two things. It isn't that open, and it's not grass. It is this shiny bright green thing. It looks like grass but doesn't taste edible. My hands feel weird on the dirt. Wait. It's not dirt. Everything here is fake. And the area is enclosed by a fence. I don't know how I got in, but I can't get out. I run and then realize that I'm not on that "grass" anymore. I'm on this black surface. I sprint, run, sprint, run until I stop. I'm back where I started. It's a big circle! Actually looks more like an oval. I look and there's a can. I go in and see some clear containers and rotted garbage. I get out of the rotting can to realize that there are these kids on these metal bars. They each, at one point, look at me. They seem to be taking notes. Curious to see what they're writing, I find an opening. I leave desperately looking for food. I search for trees but I don't see any. I finally see a tree. It's all the way across the street and there are many cars going at one time. I test the time of when the cars stop and go and realize that there isn't enough time for me to get to the other side. I try but as I start, a car passes, pushing me back to the concrete path. I run down the path and spot a maple. A maple isn't an oak. I like maple, I guess. A cold wind pushes me toward the street. I stop myself and see that the road is empty. I sprint instinctively across the street to the other side. I try to see where the oak I spotted before was. I can't find it. I run and sprint straight down until I find an oak. I climb up and get chased out by another squirrel. I continue to run. Out of breath, I stop and look around. I look up and the sun is directly above my head. It's noon already? I didn't even eat yet. I run and sprint until I finally see an oak. An oak! It's in someone's backyard. It's a big oak full of leaves. I see a dog staring me down. I go to run, then stop short. Now he's barking mad. I sprint in a zig zag up the tree, into a hole. I catch my breath and go on a branch. I pick a nut off the branch and eat. I finally eat.

What Type of Books Do I Like To Read?

That is a good question. I would have to say comedy. But not dumb comedy. Comedy with a good plot and some adventure as well as mystery. I like mystery. And every good story has a little romance in it. But I wouldn't mind if the bad guy won once in a while. Will it really kill an author to have the bad guy triumph in the end? And not have the good guy not really be dead and win in the second book. That doesn't count. I think I am tempted to write a book where the good guy dies. You'll see.

Tonight's Rehearsal

Last performance was good. We have a big dramatic part in almost every song that has to be...well....dramatic. If you don't know, our show this season is "Music of Billy Joel" our first song is "We Didn't Start The Fire/Piano", then "My Life/Only The Good Die Young", followed by "Angry Young Man/Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" and our closer "Just The Way You Are". If you would like to see, come to the East game early or check the video at the bottom. Tonight we have 6-9pm on the field rain or shine. Well it'll be dark so rain or darkness. We hit all the dramatic parts except the closer which has to be big. Everyone knows that the ending of a show must be dramatic. So tonight, that's our goal.

Writing Creatively

This is my creative writning blog for school. For now, I am in writer's block so I don't really know what to say at the moment. I am sure I will when I get home or tomorrow, I'll talk about tonight's football game.